The Asthma Association of Barbados is warning that burning vegetation and garbage is placing people with respiratory illnesses at risk.
President Rosita Pollard voiced the organisation’s alarm following complaints from members of the public, especially asthmatics, who have been affected by smoke from frequent grass fires and household fires in recent weeks.
“We know smoke is one of the major triggers of asthma. Once it gets into your lungs, it can cause you to have an attack. So these people who are burning, they need to stop this burning,” she said.
Grass fires
Her comments came after the Barbados Fire Service released figures showing there were 242 grass fires and 137 rubbish fires this year, many of which have been linked to dry conditions as well as human activity, including the burning of leaves, garbage and overgrown vegetation.
While Pollard noted that the association had not recorded a significant surge in people directly seeking assistance, she acknowledged growing unease among the public based on social media posts.
“I haven’t heard from anybody who said, ‘You know, this is affecting me’ but, as I said, I read some things on Facebook, on social media where people were complaining about the smoke bitterly.”
Despite the absence of formal reports, Pollard stressed that the risks remained very real and should not be underestimated.
“The major thing is the asthma and people don’t understand that asthma can actually kill you, especially in young children whose lungs are very small. Once that smoke gets into your lungs and you use your inhalers and they don’t work, then you end up in the asthma bay,” she warned.
Pollard expressed particular concern about the impact on children, noting that their smaller airways make them more vulnerable.
“We don’t want to see an increase in asthmatics, especially children. Children suffer more than adults. Their airways are smaller and it may take longer for the medication to actually work.”
She explained that individuals experiencing severe asthma attacks often required urgent medical attention, including repeated nebulisation.
Nebulised
“You have to spend hours in there but one thing about the asthma bay is that as soon as you go in, you go straight in. You don’t have to wait, but you still have to get nebulised at least three times,” she said.
Pollard added that the effects of smoke were not limited to asthma sufferers, as there were other respiratory and sinusrelated conditions.
“It’s not only asthma, its sinusitis. Some people get headaches from this smoke,” she added.
Pollard also questioned the cultural practice of burning yard waste.
“It’s a cultural thing that we came up seeing our grandparents do and people still continue doing it. You put your leaves in a bag, you put them outside for the garbage collection. Why do you have to burn them? You have to think about your neighbours.”
Pollard was also concerned about fires being set to clear cow itch grass, particularly near residential communities and schools.
“I was wondering if there’s another way to get rid of the cow itch besides the actual burning of it. Somebody must have some idea of what they can do to get rid of this cow itch. Why do they have to burn it?” she asked.
Pollard warned such practices could have serious consequences for students.
“Some schools are near to these places and it’s affecting the schoolchildren. Schools are going back in very soon and there are just too many fires in one day. It’s a lot of fires.”
Beyond the environmental and health implications, Pollard urged people to take precautions to prevent house fires.
“I ask people to be careful if you’re leaving the house. Make sure you unplug your stuff, your fans and your stoves.” (TRY)
