Dear Editor – I want to bring to the attention of Ministry of Environment, as a responsible authority, about the continuous burning of waste oils at Markwarth Depot at Lunga sea front.
This burning can pose a serious risk to our human health and the environment especially those of us who are living with our families within the vicinity of that area.
I am sure that it is illegal to burn waste oils without a proper instruction of Ministry of Environment.
Waste oils are defined as any petroleum-based or synthetic oil that, through use or handling, has become unsuitable for its original purpose due to the presence of impurities or loss of original properties.
I am sure somewhere in your ministry regulation, it is illegal to burn waste oil without a permit.
For us residents at lungga this burning of waste oil can risk our lives because waste oil can contain numerous hazardous materials that enter our air when burned.
Any permit to burn waste oil must undergo testing to determine that any oil burned will not release pollutants over the residents, communities living around the area.
On behalf our all residents and communities surrounding the area, we urge the Ministry of Environment to order Marthwarth Oil to immediately stop burning waste oil and they must take responsibility for any health problem affecting the surrounding communities and people.
We know that burning waste oil that contains hazardous heavy metals or other pollutants negates any efforts to create an environmental-friendly atmosphere.
Even if unburned, waste oil can harm the environment. We kindly ask the company for proper disposal which is crucial.
There is evidence of pollutants in waste oil smoke. Waste oil varies in its components, based on how it was used.
Often, waste oil contains toxic heavy metals that will be released into the air if burned as fuel.
Any fuel that is not designated by your instruction as safe to burn may contain harmful air toxics.
We ask the ministry to order Marthwarth Oil that all waste oil must be tested before it can be burned safely and legally.
All oil to be burned must be tested by an independent agency to check for toxic components that may prohibit the oil from being burned.
We kindly ask the Ministry of Environment to come and talk to Markwarth Company management and assess the risk of the continuous burning of waste oil as soon as possible and put a stop to this.
Timothy Hou
Resident
Lunga Sea Front
