One of the traditional rituals for Jāņi celebration is lighting a bonfire. However, according to observations, often residents decide to use bonfire as a means to dispose of different trash, the burning of which causes considerable pollution for the environment and impacts people’s health.
Burning trash in a fire is an administrative offence.
«Traditionally Jāņi fire is lit on the highest peak to light the surrounding area and symbolically promote fertility in the fields and protect from evil and diseases. Traditions still exist. However, the real effect of Jāņi fire in the environment has changed in modern times. Instead of fertility, health and protection Jāņi fire now often causes health problems and environmental pollution if residents toss things they shouldn’t into the fire,» says Zaļā josta representative Laima Kubliņa.
The most common type of trash residents often burn in the bonfire during Jāņi festival is plastic-containing wraps and single-use dishes and other products.
For example, seemingly harmless material polyvinyl chloride (PVC) burns at more than 1 000 C temperature, whereas the average bonfire temperature does not exceed 300 – 400 C. When PVC materials partially break down, chlorine compounds and dioxin are released into the air. On top of that, these compounds cause harm to people’s health when inhaled. The environment suffers as well. These compounds are also part of dangerous and lasting organic pollutants that settle in the soil and run deeper into groundwater when it rains. This creates risks for the environment and impacts people’s health in the long-term.
As a result, organic pollutants end build up in the organism through plants that we consume for food. As it builds up in the organism, the compounds that are generated from incomplete combustion cause different diseases, damage the endocrine and reproductive system and increase the risk of tumours, Zaļās josta representative explains the dangers of burning plastic.
Although single-use polystyrene dishes are no longer sold, polystyrene is still used to wrap food products.
When tossed into the fire, polystyrene releases bromorganic compounds that affect the reproductive system, are accumulated in adipose tissues and end up in breast milk.
Often residents throw into the fire dangerous pollutants like car tires, inflatable mattress or used batteries. It should be stressed that burning potentially dangerous items in a fire is equally dangerous for human health and the environment. For example, tires and other rubber items release organosulphur and inorganic compounds, which cause respiratory irritation and asphyxiation. This is especially dangerous for asthma patients.
Throwing used batteries in the fire is also dangerous.
When acids and other chemicals stored in batters burn, dangerous compounds are released into the air and remain in ashes and soil for years. Such a polluted bonfire place can no longer be used to fry potatoes. When batteries burn, their frame may explode and put people around the fire at risk of receiving serious chemical burns.
Residents are to inform municipal police of instance of trash burning. Inappropriate management of waste, including burning, is a punishable offence – up to EUR 1 000 fine for private persons and up to EUR 2 800 for legal persons.
This is why Zaļā josta urges residents to not throw everything they have into the fire and keep in mind their, other people’s health and the environment. To avoid problematic situations, Kubliņa recommends preparing for the holiday in advance: «To reduce the amount of generated waste, residents should think how much they put on the table. All holiday goers should plan out what each of them will supply to avoid excessive food waste. When preparing meals, residents should bring normal dishes, not purchase ready-made meals.»