Physicians: Stop open burning of sugar cane fields in Palm Beach County
As members of the Physicians for Social Responsibility Florida Chapter, we, a collective of medical professionals, earnestly call upon the Palm Beach County Department of Health to address the urgent health hazards associated with pre-harvest sugar field burning.
The inhalation of pollutants from these burns poses a grave health risk, releasing particles that can provoke asthma attacks, contribute to the development of lung cancer, and lead to cardiovascular complications such as heart attacks and strokes. Our elderly population is exceptionally vulnerable, facing increased risks of hospitalization and mortality. Likewise, the health of children is imperiled as they absorb these toxins more readily due to their developing respiratory systems.
Moreover, extensive research indicates that air pollution is a contributing factor to diminished cognitive function and an increased risk for dementia. It has also been associated with osteoporosis and accelerated skin aging.
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The residents of Palm Beach County are left defenseless during the eight-month harvest season, with no official advisories given regarding the sugarcane burning pollution they’re exposed to. This neglect persists despite compelling evidence from a peer-reviewed study from Florida State University, which indicates that pre-harvest sugar field burning is linked to an estimated 1 to 6 deaths annually and those living in proximity to the burns face a tenfold risk compared to those living further away.
The lack of initiative from the Palm Beach County Department of Health is unacceptable. Just as advisories are issued to protect public health during algal bloom outbreaks, it is imperative and logical to establish similar warnings for those affected by sugarcane burning emissions.
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We urge the cessation of harmful burning practices by sugar companies. It is unconscionable to prioritize industry over human health, perpetuating illness, and loss of life. We advocate for a transition to green harvesting methods, safeguarding public health as our paramount concern.
We implore Dr. Jyothi Gunta the current Director of the Palm Beach County Department of Health to acknowledge the severity of this issue and to take immediate action. It is the Department’s duty to inform and protect residents from the pernicious effects of toxic sugarcane burning. Public health advisories are not just a courtesy they are a necessity for the well-being of Palm Beach County’s residents.
