Accra: Open burning of waste, including plastics and hazardous materials, significantly contributes to air pollution, posing serious health and environmental risks, experts warn. This practice leads to the release of toxic pollutants and particulate matter, affecting communities, particularly in low-income areas where waste collection services are limited. According to Ghana News Agency, open burning is identified as a major factor in the degradation of air quality due to the uncontrolled combustion of various waste materials. These materials release harmful chemicals and particulates, which are then inhaled by people. The process is inefficient and leads to the emission of several toxic pollutants. Experts express concerns about the growing trend of open burning of solid waste, highlighting its significant environmental, health, and social implications. They point out that the emission of toxic gases such as dioxins, furans, and volatile organic compounds from burning materials like plastics and rubber is particularly concerning. Dioxins and furans are highly carcinogenic and can persist in the environment, posing long-term health risks. Furthermore, the practice contributes to the emission of potent greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2), which exacerbates global warming and climate change. Particulate matter pollution, another byproduct of open burning, consists of fine particles (PM2.5 and PM10) that can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, leading to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues, and premature death. The presence of heavy metals and toxic elements in waste also becomes a major issue when burned. Metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium, once airborne, can contaminate ecosystems and are dangerous to human and animal health. Incomplete combustion of organic materials, such as food scraps or agricultural debris, releases additional pollutants like methane and carbon monoxide, which contribute to smog formation. Residents living close to areas where open burni ng occurs are at a heightened risk of exposure to these harmful pollutants. This exposure is linked to an array of health issues, including respiratory infections, asthma, and chronic conditions such as bronchitis or heart diseases. Government data and household surveys indicate that diseases likely attributable to insufficient environmental sanitation are common, yet there is low awareness among households regarding the potential link between the waste management system and their health problems. With one-third of the population lacking waste collection services and increased pollution hitting low-income communities hardest, the need for a comprehensive approach to waste management is more urgent than ever. This includes infrastructure development, stringent implementation and enforcement of waste management regulations, community engagement, technological solutions, promotion of recycling technologies, and fostering public-private partnerships. Reducing or eliminating open burning through proper waste man agement practices is crucial to improving air quality and protecting public health.