Toxic smoke risk to residents and environment

TOXIC FUMES: The EEG said the huge plume of smoke from Wednesday's blaze was polluted and harmful. (Patrick Littlejohn)

Toxic smoke from Wednesday’s blaze poses a hazard to residents and the environment, a Dubai environmental group has warned.

The fire, one the worst the UAE has ever seen, sent thick black smoke stretching for miles across the city, causing alarm that the fumes might be a health risk to residents.

The Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) said the huge plume of smoke that hung over the city all day was polluted and harmful.

“The smoke emissions will definitely increase the concentrations of harmful pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and phosphorous compounds in our urban environment," EEG Chairman Habiba Al Marashi said in a statement.

"These will be inhaled by people and will cover our city and surrounding habitats."

Police have assured residents the smoke does not pose a health risk.

Over 20 buildings were engulfed in flames and at least two people killed in the blaze, which was caused by a massive explosion at an illegal fireworks warehouse.

EEG called for the implementation of strict rules and regulations against illegal firework storage. Police have promised a crackdown on the illegal storage of fireworks.

The explosion had revealed a need for a greater focus on the environment and health and safety issues, the group said.

“We join the public authorities in wanting to find the real costs of today’s explosion. The smoke which drifted over Dubai was alarming and a reminder for us to be vigilant about our environment,” Al Marashi said.

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Stay home
Posted by Samer, Dubai on Thursday 27 March 2008 at 11:02 UAE time


I went to drop my child to her pre-school this morning in Umm Squeim. The minute I got out of my car it felt like someone stuffed 2 burning matchs up my nostrils. I kept my child in the car , turned around and drove back home.

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