Las Piñas residents told to shun firecrackers, tire burning

MANILA, Philippines—Las Piñas Mayor Vergel Aguilar has discouraged residents from using firecrackers and burning rubber tires to usher in 2012, saying these pose health hazards and pollute the environment.

The police have been tasked to monitor and immediately accost violators in the hopes of “minimizing the number of casualties” in the revelry leading to the New Year, Aguilar said in a statement.

Citing various opinions by health experts, the mayor said smoke from firecrackers takes a toll on one’s lungs, particularly those suffering from asthma, pneumonia and other respiratory ailments. It could also cause eye irritation, rhinitis, and headaches, among others.

The city’s residents were also advised not to burn rubbers tires—which is considered a cheap alternative to firecrackers—as these release toxic chemicals into the air, some of which could cause cancer.

Former mayor Mel Aguilar, who chairs the city’s Clean and Green program, said that burning tires releases pollutants such as carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, dioxins, furans, benzene and some heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, nickel and zinc.

“The hazardous smoke from burning tires may cause dizziness, heart [problems]s, asthma attacks and respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, laryngitis and pneumonia,”‘ the ex-mayor said.

Instead of lighting up firecrackers and pyrotechnics, Mayor Aguilar suggested that residents use safe alternatives like banging on tin cans, blowing on a “torotot” (horn) or karaoke singing to celebrate the New Year.

The mayor also instructed parents not to allow their children from playing with “watusi,” a small type of firecracker that’s poisonous if ingested.

Based on the mayor’s directive earlier his month, the city health office drew up emergency measures related to the needs of potential firecracker victims. He also tasked city hospitals to be on alert.