IMPHAL, November 11: The commonly used plastic carry bags in state are mostly of recycled ones and could prove fatal if it contained Bio-chemical substance in the previous use said Assistant Environmental Engineer, (AEE) Manipur Pollution control Board, W Roshan Singh.
The AEE stated this while attending as a resource person during a one day awareness programme on `Health and Environment, Hazards of Burning Rubber and Plastic Waste` organised under the sponsorship of Manipur Pollution Control Board at Lainingthoukhong Nongshaba Complex, Kwakeithel Heinou Khongnembi, Imphal.
The awareness programme was also co-organised by the Nongshaba Yoga, Kwakeithel Heinou Khongnembi, Imphal West.
The AEE further said that plastics now have become one of the essential items for humans and accordingly the plastic products are made available in the market in abundance for day to day uses.
He mentioned that all individuals must know `How to Dispose`™ poly bags properly for environmental protection while citing the central Government`™s guidelines published on public interest on disposal of plastic bags.
Even as the norms advised to use virgin plastic to manufacture plastic products, especially plastic carry bags for food items, unfortunately most of the plastic produces used in the state are recycled plastics inorder to meet customer`™s demand at cheaper rate, rued Roshan.
Nevertheless, he said that the department is constantly checking plastic products manufactured in the state to ensure that the raw product is virgin plastic.
The AEE further pointed out that burning of plastic causes many health hazards like cancer, brain damage, hormone deficiencies etc, he asserted that plastics can be properly burnt in incinerators which are only available at few hospitals in Manipur.
He suggested that the best option to dispose plastic waste in safe manner was to collect it separately and hand over to plastic collectors rather than burning them.
Pradhan of Heinoukhongnembi Gram Panchayat, Maibam Tombi Devi delivering her speech noted that the common and easiest way as perceived by the general public in disposing plastic waste it by burning them.
Revealing that she does the same as there were no apparent options, she suggested that the authority concerned should build a separate temporary dumping area for plastic wastes only to make that it is properly collected by the plastic waste collectors.
Member 10/1-11 Heinoukhongnembi Gram Panchayat Leimapokpam Yaima Singh was also present in the awareness programme as president.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/awareness-on-hazards-of-burning-plastic-waste-held/