Despite
Dr Lisa Marabini’s warnings about the health implications of burning,
especially in the wake of the Pomona fire - here we go again! As soon as
the rains subside, the burning starts again, causing harm to us all and our
environment!
Every
individual deserves to have knowledge of the health implications to themselves,
their families and the damage to the environment - the information simply needs
to reach them. As Dr Marabini has already said, “we ALL need to become pro-active in
this department. If everyone reading this stopped just once in their day (or
week!) to politely explain that burning is not only extremely hazardous to
health but also illegal, maybe we could start to create some awareness. If
everyone wrote letters of complaint to their police station, or just talked to
police officers at road blocks about the air pollution it may just help”. How many of us will actually
distribute this information, take a moment out of our busy days to protect
ourselves and our families or take time to compost or recycle waste?
EMA
have confirmed that “burning of any material which gives off
any toxin is illegal”. That means virtually everything! EMA is
trying to combat this problem with a team to deal with responses and fine
enforcement, but please take into account that this team is stretched to the
limit and also concentrates on industrial toxic pollution throughout the
country. A huge task! Give people the opportunity to understand the health
implications, give the benefit of knowledge and only then report those who
persistently ignore the law, thereby preserving resources to concentrate on
other important issues. EMA is happy to receive any assistance from the
public in educating and perhaps, together, we can provide the information and
let conscience do the rest. It’s up to each of us, it’s our air!
There
is an operational hotline to report illegal dumping of waste and littering from
vehicles which is 04 770339. When reporting on littering from a
vehicle the ZRP follow up with details of car owner addresses and a fine is
issued, apparently within 2 days. Report the vehicle registration number,
time and area where the offence was spotted. The fines are apparently $20
(illegal waste dumping), $50 (littering from a vehicle) and $250 (illegal dumping
of industrial waste). tracey@awareturst.org
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