Dangers of burning discarded electrical wires for copper extraction

Most print and electronic media recently gave wide publicity to an incident where 43 students, academic staff and some parents of a leading school at Panadura had to be treated following the inhalation poisonous toxic fumes as a result of burning of electrical wires and appliances in an adjacent property.

This is not the first time that the print media has highlighted this health hazard. The local government authorities and the environmental police are well aware of this although they have not taken adequate precautionary measures to nip this menace in the bud. As far back as December 20. 2021, The Island gave wide publicity in its opinion column about the ill-effects of burning of electrical wires and appliances including discarded computers in the open air by druggies and garbage collectors to retrieve copper contained in their inner cables. This commands a good market.

When electrical wires are burnt, an acrylate fume which is injurious to health is generated. What is more injurious is the burning of oil coated nitrile rubber or neoprene coated wires generating combustible gases that have ill effects on those inhaling the fumes. These include suffocation, breathing difficulties, vomiting, and giddiness. Children who are exposed to these gases should receive immediate attention as the victims could even die.

Fortunately, in this instance there were no serious implications according to the hospital authorities. The government should immediately intervene to control this menace. What is required is an education and awareness campaign reaching all stakeholders and prosecution of wrongdoers openly flouting health guidelines. The environmental police and the Ministry of Education could play a pivotal role in the eradication of this menace enlisting the support of the public, principals and house owners.

I might also say here that the bottom of Railway Avenue, Nugegoda where I live has become notorious for this harmful practice. Garbage collectors, druggies and unruly elements collecting discarded electrical wires, appliances, rubber insulated rubbish in the town bring them to Railway Avenue where it is burnt in the open and sold to the two junk shops at Poorwarama Road.

The area school authorities, the Nugegoda Police and the MOH Nugegoda must take note of this menace as children attending two leading girl’s schools in the area and the neighbors are at risk. Burning old wires has become a thriving business in the context of restriction of imports and widespread poverty. The Panadura incident should be an eye-opener for swift action by all concerned. Unfortunately, the police take a lenient view by merely warning against repetition rather than prosecuting offenders. Deterrent action is the need of the hour.

Athula Ranasinghe
Nugegoda.