Abou Faour Underlines Threats of Trash Crisis: Political Powers Hold Key to Ending it

Health Minister Wael Abou Faour highlighted on Monday the threats posed by the ongoing waste disposal problem in Lebanon, saying that the temporary dumps for Beirut's garbage are nearing their capacity.

He urged during a press conference the government to “take the fastest solution to resolve the problem because time is not on our side.”

The cabinet has been studying the possibility of exporting the waste.

“It appears that we are facing a long-term problem over waste disposal,” he remarked.

He noted that the temporary dump established near Rafik Hariri International Airport poses a threat to nearby residential areas due to the hazardous fumes and stench.

It also poses a threat to aviation because of the increase in birds that are dangerous to planes, he explained.

The other dump for Beirut waste, said Abou Faour, is located in the Karantina area near a flour mill.

He warned that the mill will be exposed to the hazards of the garbage, such as rodents and other pests, which in turn will affect flour production and consequently create a bread shortage in the country.

Given these challenges, he called on the cabinet to reach an agreement on exporting the waste.

Until such an agreement is reached, the minister urged the people to exercise precautions and avoid burning the trash.

“Such a measure is a greater danger to the environment and will not influence the cabinet,” noted Abou Faour.

Burning the waste raises cancer, asthma, breathing risks, and other hazards, he warned.

In addition, the minister advised people against spraying pesticides on the garbage because, in the long-run, the pests will develop immunity against them.

The minister therefore urged them to continue on using the calcium powder at dump sites, saying it is the most effective.

Addressing reports of the possible spread of cholera due to the waste crisis, he explained that such threats existed before the problem began and that most cases were detected from travelers at the airport.

“These cases have been contained,” he reassured.

Moreover, he said that cholera can only be spread from one person to another and it is a virus that is linked to personal hygiene.

“The Health Ministry does not have a solution to the garbage crisis, but it has means to confront it,” he declared in conclusion.

“The political powers hold the solution to the crisis,” he stressed.

The waste disposal crisis erupted when the Naameh landfill, which since 1997 had been receiving the trash of Beirut and Mount Lebanon, was closed on July 17.

Following its closure, waste began to pile up on the streets despite a temporary solution to collect it.

But the decision led to protests by local officials and residents in several areas, who have refused to accept waste from outside their regions.

The smell of rotting garbage became worse with rising temperatures amid an unprecedented heat wave striking Lebanon and neighboring countries.

Officials have started to study the possibility of exporting the waste with German, French, and Swedish companies expressing interest.

M.T.

G.K.