What are Landfill? Rising frequency of Landfill Fires
Keywords:- Landfill fires, dumping ground, landfill, spontaneous fires, fires
Abstract
The massive fire that broke out at the Bhalswa landfill site in Delhi on April 26 has not been completely dozed off yet. The residents, staying near the landfill have informed the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) that poisonous fumes are entering their homes which are causing breathing problems. Three incidents of fire have been reported this year at east Delhi’s Ghazipur landfill sit –
- Bhalswa landfill fire: The massive fire that broke out at the Bhalswa landfill began on April 26 evening.
- Perungudi dump yard fire: A major fire broke out at Perungudi dump (Chennai) on April 27 afternoon.
- Dadumajra landfill fire: A fire also broke out at Chandigarh’s Dadumajra dumping ground on April 5. Landfills are the largest source of methane emissions which are highly flammable in nature and play a large role in the ignition of landfill fires. The decomposition of waste is largely anaerobic in a landfill, which results in the production of large quantities of methane and carbon dioxide. Fires are also a result of human factors. Waste pickers who scavenge the waste may inadvertently start a fire by smoking in the landfill.
Introduction
A massive fire broke out at the Bhalswa landfill site in north Delhi on Tuesday evening, the fourth such largescale fire in Delhi’s landfill site over the last month. The other three fires were reported from east Delhi’s Ghazipur landfill site.
Firefighters struggled to douse a fire at the Bhalswa landfill site in north Delhi for the fourth straight day on Friday. Several videos showed the blaze churning out dense plumes of smoke and turning the sky hazy grey.
A second senior north municipal corporation official said when temperatures rise, the methane generated by decaying organic matter, basically from the legacy waste at the landfill sites, also increases.
“Methane gas spontaneously ignites under such weather conditions. It is a natural phenomenon. Such a major fire at Bhalswa has not occurred lately and we will look into the exact cause once the situation is under control”.
Local residents said that the thick smoke was choking them.”Currently, four fire tenders are working at the site. It will take at least one more day to douse the fire.
The residents have started complaining of sore throat, itchy eyes as well as breathing problems.
The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. The Delhi government on Thursday imposed a fine of ₹50 lakh on the North Delhi Municipal Corporation in connection with the massive fire that broke out at the Bhalswa landfill site on Tuesday.
What are landfills?
Landfill site, also known as a tip, dump, rubbish dump, garbage dump, or dumping ground, is a site for the disposal of waste materials. Landfill is the oldest as well as most common form of waste disposal. Although the systematic burial of the waste with daily, intermediate and final covers only began in the 1940s.
Some landfill sites are used for waste management purposes, such as temporary storage, consolidation and transfer, or for various stages of processing waste material, such as sorting, treatment, or recycling. Unless they are stabilized, landfills may undergo severe shaking or soil liquefaction of the ground during an earthquake. Once full the area over a landfill site may be reclaimed for other uses.
Why do landfill fires occur?
The organic waste in the landfill decays, resulting in a build-up of highly combustible methane gas. “With high temperatures, this spontaneous combustion will take place.
How do we prevent landfill fires?
Landfill management includes prohibiting burning and smoldering waste from entering the landfill through thorough inspection of incoming waste. Prohibiting smoking on-site and having good security measures to prevent suspicious fires is also key.
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle are most common methods to reduce landfill waste.
Written By – Ashi Dubey
Mail us at edumoundofficial@edumound
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