Methane gas is a byproduct of organic waste in landfills and is highly flammable with the capability to cause serious harm if not managed properly.
“This practice of releasing the gas from the pile of trash is aimed at reducing fire outbreaks, as the flames can cause poisonous gases to spread into the atmosphere,” Haval Omer, an engineer at the Duhok garbage disposal directorate, told Rudaw.
“Therefore, our goal is to minimize the spread of these gases,” Omer said.
Methane is one of the most dangerous greenhouse gases that cause climate change. In high concentrations, it can be a health hazard.
Ramadan Mohammed is an environmental expert. He said that garbage disposed in an open area “produces methane because it includes household waste.”
“While the gas does cause health problems, it affects the temperature if it enters the stratosphere. If it stays in excess in the troposphere, where we live, it produces ozone, which is one of the harmful gases,” the expert explained.
According to the garbage disposal directorate, Duhok city and nearby Semel district produce about 600 tons of trash daily. Only 150 tons are currently processed in a treatment facility.
There are plans to increase that to 300 tons, while the remaining 300 tons will be buried.
