Burning rubbish may seem like a quick way to get rid of household waste, but the smoke released from burning plastics, paper, food waste and other materials can contain harmful pollutants. Regular exposure can affect the lungs, heart, eyes and other parts of the body, with children, older people and those with existing respiratory conditions particularly vulnerable.

In many communities, burning rubbish is still used as a quick solution when waste collection is unavailable, irregular or too expensive. A pile of rubbish is set alight, the waste disappears and the area may look cleaner. But the problem has not disappeared. It has been released into the air.

Smoke from open waste burning can contain fine particles, carbon monoxide, toxic gases, heavy metals and other harmful substances. The World Health Organization (WHO) says open waste burning can cause adverse health effects including coughing, skin irritation and respiratory disease.

For Ghana, this is more than an environmental issue. It is a public health concern.

What happens when you burn rubbish?

When rubbish burns in an open fire, the temperature and conditions are usually not controlled. Different types of waste can release different pollutants. Household rubbish may contain:

• Plastic bags
• Food packaging
• Paper and cardboard
• Rubber
• Textiles
• Batteries
• Electronics
• Chemicals
• Paint containers
• Tyres
• Food waste

Burning these materials can produce smoke containing fine particulate matter and other pollutants.

WHO identifies particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide among pollutants of major concern for human health. Fine particles such as PM2.5 can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream.

This is why smoke from a rubbish fire should not be considered harmless simply because the fire is small.

1. Burning Rubbish Can Damage the Lungs

The respiratory system is one of the first parts of the body affected by polluted air. Smoke from burning waste can irritate the nose, throat and airways.

Short-term exposure may cause:

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Throat irritation
• Chest discomfort
• Increased mucus
• Eye irritation

People who already have asthma or other respiratory conditions may be particularly sensitive.

WHO has documented an example in Ghana in which children living near an open waste-burning site developed breathing difficulties, coughing, wheezing and watery eyes after exposure to fumes from burning expired chemicals and other products. This illustrates how quickly exposure to smoke from waste burning can affect nearby residents.

2. It Can Trigger Asthma and Breathing Problems

For someone with asthma, smoke can be particularly problematic.

Fine particles and other pollutants can irritate and inflame the airways, potentially worsening respiratory symptoms.

Children are especially important to protect because their lungs are still developing.

A WHO report on solid waste and health notes that children are among the groups at increased risk from unsafe waste management and exposure.

If rubbish is regularly burned near homes, schools or playgrounds, children may repeatedly breathe polluted air without anyone realising the potential health impact.

3. The Smoke Can Affect the Heart and Blood Vessels

The effects of air pollution are not limited to the lungs.

Very small particles can enter deep into the respiratory system and pass into the bloodstream.

WHO notes that exposure to particulate matter is associated with cardiovascular effects, including heart disease and stroke. Both short- and long-term exposure can contribute to cardiovascular and respiratory illness.

This means that people who repeatedly live near sources of smoke may face risks beyond coughing or temporary breathing problems.

4. Burning Plastic Can Release Dangerous Chemicals

Plastic should never be treated as ordinary firewood.

When some plastics and other materials are burned, they can release toxic pollutants.

WHO warns that uncontrolled waste burning can release pollutants that are harmful to health and the environment. Depending on what is burned and the combustion conditions, emissions can include persistent organic pollutants and other hazardous substances.

Certain waste materials can be particularly concerning, including:

• PVC and other plastics
• Batteries
• Electronic waste
• Painted materials
• Chemical containers
• Tyres
• Medical waste

The smoke may look like ordinary black smoke, but its chemical composition can be far more complicated.

5. Open Burning Can Increase Cancer Risks

Long-term exposure to some air pollutants released during combustion can increase the risk of serious disease, including cancer.

Fine particulate matter is particularly concerning.

WHO notes that long-term exposure to particulate matter has been linked with lung cancer and that particulate matter was classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a cause of lung cancer in 2013.

The risk depends on the pollutants involved, the amount of exposure and the length of time someone is exposed.

This is another reason why repeated rubbish burning should not be considered a harmless household activity.

6. Burning Rubbish Can Irritate the Eyes and Skin

You do not have to breathe deeply into a cloud of smoke to be affected.

Smoke and chemical pollutants can irritate exposed areas of the body.

People near rubbish fires may experience:

• Burning or watery eyes
• Redness
• Itchy eyes
• Irritated skin
• Sore throat
• Runny nose

These symptoms may improve once a person moves away from the smoke, but repeated exposure should be avoided.

7. Children Are Particularly Vulnerable

Children breathe more air relative to their body size than adults and their lungs are still developing.

They may also spend more time playing outdoors, potentially bringing them into contact with smoke from nearby waste fires.

WHO identifies children as a particularly vulnerable group in relation to the health risks associated with poorly managed waste.

Parents and caregivers should therefore avoid allowing children to play near rubbish-burning sites.

Schools and communities should also discourage waste burning close to areas where children spend time.

8. Older People and People With Existing Conditions May Face Greater Risks

Older adults and people living with conditions affecting the heart or lungs may be more vulnerable to polluted air.

This includes people with:

• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Heart disease
• Other chronic respiratory conditions

If smoke is visible in the neighbourhood, vulnerable people should try to stay indoors with windows and doors closed where practical and avoid unnecessary exposure.

If someone develops severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, confusion or other serious symptoms after smoke exposure, urgent medical attention may be required.

9. Burning Rubbish Can Affect the Whole Community

A common misconception is that burning rubbish is a private household activity.

It is not.

Smoke travels.

A fire started in one person’s compound can affect neighbours, pedestrians, roadside traders, schoolchildren and other people nearby.

WHO’s 2021 assessment of solid waste management and health in Accra found that waste management activities contribute to air pollution and identified open burning as an important area for intervention. The analysis estimated that stopping open burning in Accra by 2030 could potentially prevent around 120 premature deaths annually under the scenario studied.

That figure demonstrates the potential public-health benefit of reducing uncontrolled waste burning.

10. Burning Rubbish Can Contaminate Soil and Water

The smoke is not the only problem.

After a rubbish fire goes out, ash and partially burned material remain behind.

Depending on what was burned, these residues can contain harmful substances that can enter soil or water.

This becomes particularly concerning when rubbish is burned near:

• Wells
• Streams
• Drains
• Farms
• Vegetable gardens
• Homes
• Children’s play areas

Poor waste management can affect air, water and soil, creating several possible routes of human exposure.

Why Burning Rubbish Is a Particular Concern During the Dry Season

During dry periods, rubbish fires can spread more easily.

Dry grass, leaves and other vegetation can catch fire, potentially turning a small waste fire into a larger uncontrolled fire.

Smoke can also remain noticeable for longer when weather conditions limit dispersion.

Communities should therefore be especially careful about open fires during periods of dry weather.

What About Burning Food Waste and Leaves?

Not all waste produces the same emissions.

Organic materials such as leaves and food waste may appear safer than plastic, but burning them still produces smoke and fine particles.

The safest approach is not to routinely burn household waste.

Organic waste can instead be composted where practical.

Food scraps, leaves and other biodegradable materials can be separated from plastics and other waste and managed through appropriate collection, composting or other approved disposal methods.

What About Burning Paper and Cardboard?

Paper and cardboard generally produce fewer toxic chemicals than some plastics or chemically treated materials, but burning them still produces smoke and particulate pollution.

Cardboard may also contain inks, coatings, adhesives or other materials.

Where recycling or appropriate waste collection is available, these options are preferable to open burning.

Never Burn Electronic or Hazardous Waste

Some materials should never be thrown onto an open fire.

These include:

• Batteries
• Electrical equipment
• Electronic waste
• Paint containers
• Chemical containers
• Pesticide containers
• Medicines
• Medical waste
• Tyres
• Plastics containing hazardous substances

Medical waste is particularly concerning because inappropriate burning can release particulate matter and, under certain conditions, dioxins, furans and other hazardous substances.

What Should You Do Instead?

The best solution is to avoid open burning wherever possible.

Instead:

Reduce

Buy products with less unnecessary packaging and avoid generating waste where possible.

Reuse

Items such as containers, bags and some household materials may be reusable.

Separate

Keep recyclable materials, organic waste and other waste separate where suitable collection systems exist.

Recycle

Paper, cardboard, metals, plastics and other recyclable materials should be directed to appropriate recycling services where available.

Compost

Food scraps, leaves and other suitable organic waste can be composted.

Use Proper Waste Collection

Where waste collection services are available, use them rather than burning rubbish.

What If There Is No Waste Collection?

This is an important issue for communities where waste collection is unreliable or unavailable.

Simply telling households not to burn rubbish without providing practical alternatives does not solve the problem.

Communities and local authorities need accessible waste-management options, including:

• Reliable waste collection
• Community waste points
• Recycling facilities
• Composting
• Safe disposal sites
• Public education
• Enforcement against hazardous waste burning

WHO recommends reducing waste, separating waste, recycling and reuse, while stopping uncontrolled waste burning.

How to Protect Your Family From Rubbish Smoke

If rubbish is being burned near your home:

Move away from the smoke where possible.

Keep children away from the area.

Close windows and doors when smoke is entering the house.

Avoid exercising outdoors while heavy smoke is present.

People with asthma should follow their prescribed asthma management plan.

Do not burn additional rubbish to “get rid of it quickly”.

If smoke exposure causes significant breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion or severe symptoms, seek urgent medical care.

What Can Communities Do?

Reducing rubbish burning requires community action.

Residents can:

• Encourage proper waste collection
• Report dangerous waste burning where appropriate
• Organise community clean-up activities
• Separate recyclable waste
• Promote composting
• Keep children away from waste-burning areas
• Educate neighbours about the health effects
• Work with local authorities and waste-management providers

Community leaders, schools and local authorities can also play an important role in educating residents about the dangers of open waste burning.

Ghana’s Waste Problem Is Also a Health Problem

Waste management is often discussed as an environmental issue.

But it is also a health issue.

When rubbish is dumped, burned or poorly managed, communities can be exposed to polluted air, contaminated water and other hazards.

WHO’s 2026 report, Throwing Away Our Health, describes poorly managed solid waste as a public-health concern and calls for action to eliminate open dumping and burning, including hazardous waste.

For Ghanaian communities, improving waste management can therefore provide benefits beyond cleaner streets.

It can help create healthier neighbourhoods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is burning rubbish harmful to your health?

Yes. Open waste burning can release fine particles, carbon monoxide, toxic gases and other pollutants that can harm the respiratory and cardiovascular systems and cause irritation of the eyes and skin.

Is burning plastic dangerous?

Yes. Burning plastic can release harmful pollutants, particularly when combustion is uncontrolled. Some plastics and chemically treated materials can produce hazardous substances when burned.

Can burning rubbish cause asthma?

Smoke and air pollution can trigger or worsen asthma symptoms. People with asthma should avoid exposure to rubbish smoke whenever possible.

Is rubbish smoke dangerous for children?

Yes. Children are among the groups that can be particularly vulnerable to the health effects of poorly managed waste and air pollution.

Can rubbish burning cause cancer?

Long-term exposure to certain air pollutants, including fine particulate matter, is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.

Is burning leaves safe?

Burning leaves still produces smoke and particulate matter. Composting or appropriate collection is generally preferable to open burning.

What should I do if my neighbour burns rubbish?

Try to avoid the smoke and keep children away from the area. If the burning is frequent, dangerous or involves hazardous materials, consider reporting it to the appropriate local authority or environmental agency.

The Bottom Line

Burning rubbish may make waste disappear from sight, but it does not make the health risks disappear.

Smoke from open waste burning can pollute the air with fine particles and other harmful substances. Repeated exposure can affect the lungs and cardiovascular system, while children, older adults and people with existing health conditions may be particularly vulnerable.

The safest approach is simple:

Reduce waste.

Reuse where possible.

Separate recyclable materials.

Compost suitable organic waste.

Use proper waste collection.

Avoid burning household rubbish.

For Ghana to build healthier communities, waste management must be treated not only as an environmental responsibility but also as a public-health priority.

Cleaner communities mean cleaner air — and cleaner air means better health.

Medical and Health Disclaimer

This article is intended for general health information and is not a substitute for medical advice. Anyone experiencing severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion or other serious symptoms after smoke exposure should seek urgent medical attention.