Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) Chairman P. Krishnayya urged people to celebrate ‘Bhogi’ in an eco-friendly manner and refrain from burning hazardous waste in bonfires.
During the winter season, dust particles generally remain suspended in air in the form of smog, which to some extent harms public health. In addition to this, the burning of Bhogi bonfires and waste leads to increased air pollution, further deteriorating air quality, explained the APPCB Chairman in a press statement on Saturday.
Many people, knowingly or unknowingly, throw tyres, plastic items, flex banners, painted furniture, and electronic waste into the fires during the festival. When such materials are burnt, toxic pollutants such as dioxins, furans, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, lead, cadmium and mercury are released into the atmosphere, he added.
These toxic emissions pose serious health risks to people of all age groups. They can cause or aggravate lung-related diseases, respiratory problems, asthma and allergies, eye irritation, nose and throat itching, heart-related ailments, and in the long run even increase the risk of cancer, he cautioned.
Urging people to use only dry leaves, firewood or agricultural residues to celebrate the festival, Mr. Krishnayya advised them not to burn old household waste on the roads, but to hand it over to municipal garbage collection vehicles.
Published – January 10, 2026 08:12 pm IST
