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KANDAHAR CITY (SW) – Respiratory diseases are on the rise in Kandahar due to unregulated spread of brick kilns in close proximity to residential areas.
A number of Kandahar residents told Salam Watandar these brick kilns are fast spreading in many neighborhoods including the 10th, 15th and 2nd district of Kandahar city.
Habibullah and Saleema, two Kandahar residents, said the owners of these brick kilns burn rubber tires and other waste material that has polluted the air and causing respiratory diseases. They lament the Kandahar Municipality and the Environment Protection Agency have not taken any actions on their multiple complaints.
Operators of the brick kilns admit using rubber tires and other waste material for burning citing financial constraint as a reason stopping them from buying gas or wood.
Abdul Hameed, one such owner of a brick kiln, said he is ready to relocate to a new proper place away from the residential areas if the government cooperates in this regard.
Officials and experts agree the damaging impacts of the thick black smoke emitting from the brick kilns are serious. Abdul Rehman, director for environment protection at the directorate of public health, said the polluted air has caused blood cancer, respiratory diseases and skin complications.
According to Amanuddin Hamidi, head of the Environment Protection Agency in Kandahar, there is no other way than spreading public awareness to counter this situation.
Meanwhile, the spokesman for the Kandahar Municipality, Zamaray Sargand, claimed work is underway to move these brick kilns out of the city.
ENDS
