Live After Quit

“Burning Trash in Florida: Residents Speak Out on a Booming Problem Causing Illness.

Residents of Pinellas County, Florida are becoming increasingly concerned as their community experiences a boom in trash burning. With more than 40 facilities in the state burning trash and releasing aerosols and gases like sulfur dioxide into the air, it’s no wonder the residents are worried about the health of themselves and their children. According to the research conducted by Godzillanewz, the trash burning industry in Florida has grown steadily over the past five years. In that time, the number of incinerators in the state has more than doubled from 19 to 44. Unfortunately, those incinerators are especially harmful in densely populated areas like Pinellas County, where the population has only grown over time, leading to an increase in the levels of toxin-emitting waste. The health risks associated with trash burning are well documented. These toxins are known to irritate the respiratory system and result in a number of respiratory problems. They can also seriously compromise the quality of air people breathe. In a city such as Pinellas County, constant exposure to these toxins can have dire consequences for people’s health, especially older generations or those with pre-existing health problems. Adding to the concern is the ever-growing number of medical problems reported by local citizens. Reports of aching joints, wheezing, coughing, and worsening asthma have skyrocketed in recent years. These symptoms are thought to be caused by the combination of Florida’s oppressive heat and humidity and the hazardous particles found in the air as a result of the burning trash. It’s easy to see why people in Pinellas County are worried about the effects of trash burning and why the demand for more environmentally friendly and less harmful alternatives is growing. While it might seem like a simple solution to just reduce the number of facilities burning trash, there is still much work to be done to ensure the well-being of the local population. Regardless of the action taken to reduce trash burning in Pinellas County, citizens and activists must continue to raise awareness of the health risks of trash burning and push for more responsible environmental regulations. Only then will people in Florida and other states can be safe from the devastating effects of toxins.