"As the US oil blockade on Cuba enters its fourth month, choking off most of the island's fuel supplies, growing mounds of waste lie on street corners across Havana. Amid fuel scarcity, authorities have opted to ration petrol by reducing waste collection, leaving less than half of Havana's rubbish trucks operational."
"Substances from waste can persist in the environment for years and in the human body for a decade. This releases substances from the waste and creates new ones as molecules break down and re-form in the flames [which] can persist in the environment for years and in the human body for perhaps a decade or more."
"The state-run Cuban Neuroscience Center has said that unofficial fires which it says burn at lower, inconsistent temperatures are more perilous than controlled ones. Burning rubbish in the open air not only has harmful effects on health, it also pollutes the air, soil and water."
Cuba's US oil blockade has created severe fuel shortages, forcing authorities to drastically reduce waste collection services in Havana. With less than half of rubbish trucks operational, residents resort to dumping waste in streets or burning it openly. The government designated 122 temporary waste collection points with controlled incineration at 24 sites. However, uncontrolled fires burn at inconsistent temperatures, releasing hazardous substances that persist in the environment for years and in human bodies for a decade. The Cuban Neuroscience Center warns that open-air burning pollutes air, soil, and water while creating new toxic compounds as waste molecules break down in flames. Public health officials express concern about the mounting rubbish piles and their damaging effects on community health.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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