Health hazards from flaring continue to plague Middle East, topic on COP 28
Toxic air pollutants released during gas flare-ups in oilfields pose a greater threat than previously thought, jeopardizing millions of lives, according to recent BBC research.
This alarming revelation will be a key topic of discussion at the upcoming 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday.
The practice of flaring, or burning waste gas during oil drilling, is widespread among petrochemical companies in the Persian Gulf region, contributing to the deterioration of air quality across the area.
New research indicates that toxic gases, spreading for hundreds of kilometers, have led to a significant decline in air quality throughout the region.
Despite the UAE implementing a ban on gas flaring two decades ago, recent images reveal that the practice persists, raising concerns about health hazards. The UAE, a major oil supplier to the British market, is under scrutiny for the continuation of this environmentally harmful activity.
Iran, ranking third globally in gas flaring after Russia and Iraq, has made promises to phase out flare torches, yet these commitments remain unfulfilled. Even oil companies such as BP and Shell, operating in fields where flaring occurs, have acknowledged efforts to reduce the practice.
Leaked documents published by the BBC on Monday suggest that the UAE may exploit its role as the host of the UN climate change conference to secure new oil and gas deals.
Robert Boyd, the UN special rapporteur on human rights and the environment, expressed deep concern over the findings, highlighting that major companies and oil-producing countries in the Middle East are neglecting their responsibility to address air pollution caused by fossil fuels.
The pollutants resulting from flaring, including PM2.5, ozone, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and benzoalphapyrene (BaP), have been linked by international experts, including the World Health Organization, to serious health issues such as stroke, cancer, asthma, and heart disease when exposure occurs in high volume or over an extended period.
Moreover, flaring remains a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, releasing carbon dioxide and methane, and exacerbating global warming.
The urgency of addressing this environmental crisis underscores the need for comprehensive and immediate action at the international level.
