Gov't officials remind public on safe New Year festivities

With year 2007 just hours away, government officials have issued final reminders to the public about toxic noise-making devices, garbage, and pollution-causing pyrotechnics that have been the concerns every New Year's Day celebration.

Authorities have emphasized that public health and safety should be the prevailing concern when celebrating the holiday by exercising cautious and proper use of noise-making devices and pyrotechnics, and maintaining clean surroundings right after the festivities.

Councilor Edgardo Labella voiced out concern on two things: The use of PVC toy canons and guns, known as "boga", which authorities said are toxic, and the disposal of garbage accumulated after the celebration.

Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes, for his part, reminded the public to start the new year correctly by refraining from using pyrotechnics and burning of tires on the streets that would only cause air pollution.

The Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Health should admonish the public, especially the youths, from buying or using toy canons and guns made of PVC pipes, said Labella.

The "boga" became a public craze due to its booming sounds by ignited only the denatured alcohol sprayed into it.

Labella said these gadgets are not covered in Republic Act 7183, or the Firecracker Law, and there are no tips yet for their safe operations thus the need for government now to take proper action over their use by the public.

"Incorrect handling of the alleged PVC-fitted toy cannons or guns may lead to eye injuries, among others," Labella said, as he cited authorities' declarations that these are also toxic.

PVC pipes, when improperly dumped and burned would emit dioxins or organic pollutants that are among the most lethal chemicals, he said.

The councilor further called on the city's Department of Public Services to carry out a scheme to ensure the fast collection of accumulated garbage immediately after the New Year's festivities.

The volume of garbage in the city normally increases during the holidays and the improper and slow disposal of this could cause other problems like clogged drainage and floods, affecting public health, he said.

A temporary solution is that residents should store their trash inside their respective homes until the garbage collector comes for them, Labella said.

Secretary Reyes, for his part, said the lighting of pyrotechnics and burning of tires have dire impact to the environment.

"The ill-effects of setting off all sorts of firecrackers and the burning of used tires are very evident hours after the New Year revelry." Reyes said. "The city is blanketed with smoke that irritates the eyes and the skin. There is no question that our health and environment are adversely affected."

Reyes said fumes from exploding firecrackers contain harmful substances, like sulfur oxides, phosphorous, nitrogen, carbon, and toxic dusts-causing acid rain that destroys the ozone layer, water sources and vegetation.

"One of the best ways to welcome the New Year is to keep our environment cleaner and safer for all. There are other ways to celebrate the event, like blowing a horn," Reyes said, adding that even the burning of scrap tires could threaten the health of people nearby.

Depending on the length and degree of exposure, Reyes said the ill effect of air emissions from tire fires include irritation of the skin, eyes, and respiratory system.

He said that pollutants from burning tires are particulates, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, dioxins, furanes, benzene, and some metallic elements.

Reyes also warned that pyrotechnics contain fine toxic dusts that can easily enter the lungs. Smoke from these could also lead to dizziness, heart disturbance, asthma attack, bronchitis, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, laryngitis and pneumonia, among others.

The public and the local governments should join hands in observing an environment-friendly celebration in their respective areas. - Joeberth Ocao and Jasmin R. Uy/RAE