How the Practice of Bush Burning Burns your Health

Have you ever walked past a field that’s been set on fire and struggled to breathe?

The thick smoke chokes you, your chest feels tight, and your lungs scream for fresh air. 

I remember vividly how something similar happened during my secondary school days.

One sunny afternoon, we were in class when the air suddenly changed. Thick smoke began to seep through the windows, filling the classroom.

A bush was being burned just behind the school building, and nobody had prepared for the chaos it caused. 

Ijeoma, a classmate of mine who had asthma, suddenly clutched her chest. She gasped for air, her breathing quick and shallow.

Panic broke out as we tried to help her while struggling ourselves to breathe. 

The smoke was unbearable, our throats burned, our eyes watered, and we couldn’t concentrate on anything except escaping the contaminated air.

It was terrifying. Thankfully, Ijeoma received immediate attention, but that incident left a lasting impression on me about the dangers of bush burning.

Sadly, bush burning is just one form of harmful burning we see every day.

People now prefer to burn their trash rather dispose it or even wait for the trash companies to pick it up. 

It’s common to see individuals gather waste from their shops or homes, sweep it into a pile, and light it on fire. 

The smoke rises into the air, carrying toxic particles that affect everyone around them, whether they realize it or not.

Here are some of the dangers associated with bush burning or any form of open burning:

1. Health Hazards:

The smoke from burning vegetation, trash, or other materials contains harmful particles that pollute the air. When inhaled, these particles cause:

Respiratory issues: Difficulty breathing, coughing, and increased risk of asthma attacks.

Chronic conditions: Long-term exposure can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and even lung cancer.

Infections: It weakens the respiratory system, leaving people more vulnerable to infections like bronchitis or pneumonia.

2. Environmental Damage:

Burning releases harmful gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, which contribute to climate change. The smoke also depletes the ozone layer, exposing us to harmful UV rays that can cause skin cancer, cataracts, and extreme weather changes.

3. Loss of Soil Fertility:

While some believe burning bushes enriches the soil with ash, the reality is that it destroys essential nutrients and microorganisms, leaving the land less fertile over time.

4. Uncontrolled Wildfires:

Bush burning can quickly get out of hand, leading to devastating wildfires that destroy homes, crops, and even lives.

This habit of setting fire to bushes or trash is not just harmful; it’s dangerous to everyone’s well-being.

Imagine the air in your community filled with toxic smoke daily. Children, the elderly, and individuals with preexisting health conditions are the most vulnerable.

We need to explore better, healthier ways of managing waste and clearing land:

For farmers: Practices like crop rotation, composting, and mulching can replace bush burning. These methods improve soil health without harming the environment.

For waste management: Proper disposal methods like recycling and composting can reduce the need for open burning.

In communities where trash collection exists, let’s take advantage of it instead of lighting fires.

We all breathe the same air. When we burn bushes or trash, we pollute not only our immediate surroundings but the air everyone shares.

The practice may seem convenient, but the long-term consequences are too great to ignore.

Let’s put an end to bush burning and all forms of open burning. It’s time we prioritize our health, protect our environment, and adopt sustainable practices for a better future. 

After all, the air we save today could be the breath we desperately need tomorrow.

Good Morning!