A fireplace has been burning in a Tijuana waste for five weeks, and the smoke from that is hazy for residents on both sides of the border.
Marisol Montaño, chairman of Hagamos Conciencia, an economic team in Baja California, says the dust and small molecules filtering into the air represent a risk, especially for people with breathing problems.
” Access to the dust, even in the short term, may have adverse reactions in women’s airways, make it hard to breathe, and could lead to cardiovascular problems”, said Montaño. ” It’s been five days now, if this goes for a longer period, we’re talking a lot of heart problems and throat annoyances”.
Montaño says the hydrogens coming from melted plastic and additives can get into people’s lungs and brain.
The landfill’s immediate vicinity is where the biggest problem is, but these molecules are spreading throughout the area and beyond.
Residents of towns near the border report a persistent film of smoke and a strong smell “like an electric fire.”
Montao advises those who live close to the fire to stop all outdoors activities and get medical attention right away if they are having trouble breathing.
The Tijuana Fire Department claims that the company that runs the hospital, Ecowaste, has chosen to let the flames burn itself out instead of being called to the waste to put out the fire.
The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District claims to have not received any calling from people, but has made a promise to check if something unexpected is displaying in its air quality panels close to the border.
