Avoid fireworks, open burning due to haze, urge experts

Children having a great time playing fireworks In Rawang, Selangor.

PETALING JAYA: While the festive season is usually ushered in with fireworks, health experts have urged caution, given the unfavourable hazy weather condition.

Public health advocate Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said given the haze situation, any form of open burning should be avoided.

“In some places, firecrackers may be a problem, for example, in crowded housing estates where there are a lot of firecrackers continuously,” he said.

However, he noted that the haze situation is still not that bad.

“It’s not affecting our normal life except maybe for certain people who have underlying chronic diseases such as chronic obstructive airway diseases, asthma and others,” he said.

As a precautionary measure, he said it was important to reduce outdoor activities, wear a face mask, preferably the N95 variant, and to drink lots of water.

Medical Practitioners Coalition Association of Malaysia president Dr Raj Kumar Maharajah also agreed with Dr Zainal on the precautionary measures.

“Firecrackers will contribute to the haze. If you are using the bigger ones, it may let out more smoke. The smaller firecrackers should be okay,” he said.

“Those who have respiratory diseases like bronchitis, COPD and asthma, their symptoms may be aggravated during the haze. Also the elderly, children and the immunocompromised,” he added.

Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh, said fireworks might not contribute to haze but it could bring other hazards such as injuries.

Dr Kuljit also said people with chronic respiratory diseases should avoid being outdoors as much as possible if the air quality in the area is poor.

As for Covid-19, he said the standard operating procedure should be observed to prevent the disease from spreading.

He said symptoms of health complications that arose from haze and Covid-19 might be similar.

“One may have cough, difficulty in breathing and runny nose but with the haze, you may not have fever.

“The only way not to get confused is to do a Covid-19 test,” he said, adding that people are not testing as regularly as before.

On April 19, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa advised the public to use face masks, umbrellas and hats to avoid direct exposure to the hot weather and haze.