The Shoura Council recently endorsed unified legislation governing the management and disposal of hazardous waste, particularly medical waste, in all the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council. That was commendable, but I wished the council had made a similar move for the preservation of the environment and, in particular, the protection of the consumer.
Millions live in areas in which the air quality is neither healthy nor clean. It would require much effort on the part of the state, the private sector and the public to reduce all the risks associated with a polluted environment. The public in particular should learn which material is more hazardous, how it should be dealt with and also how to protect the environment.
Identifying the sources of pollution is of vital importance. Industrial waste remains the most common source of pollution with the world producing more than 50,000 chemical compounds used by people in their daily lives. Some 60 percent of all cancer cases are related to chemical pollutants from factories and car emissions. Common air pollutants include nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, excess carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, toxic substances such as mercury and heavy metals such as lead. Even minute amounts of certain pollutants can result in serious health and environmental problems.
Environmental illness is difficult to diagnose and in addition to the typical allergic symptoms of asthma, sinusitis, congestion, intestinal and skin problems, the symptoms of environmental illness may include a long list of other problems — puffiness of the eyes, nose-rubbing, changes in speech, increased pulse, increased fatigue, headaches, muscle pain, depression, irritability, aggression and the list goes on.
Treatment is often a lengthy and costly process, a constant drain on state coffers. Countries without exception are working to find suitable solutions for environmental problems. European countries are leading the way with the private sector there heavily involved in the process, financing research and study projects and working closely with the government to ensure that the relevant laws and regulations are enforced to protect public health. In order to do what is necessary and to keep up with the rest of the world, we need more cooperation and coordination among our public and private institutions and a much greater involvement on the part of the public.
