The Environment Ministry has warned against burning agricultural waste, particularly rice straw, in conjunction with rainfall on some Lower Egypt areas.
The ministry added in a statement Wednesday that the burning of wet agricultural waste causes more pollution than burning dry waste.
The smoke doubles in humid weather because water works to dampen flames, thus prolonging the duration of burning, according to the statement.
The statement said that incomplete combustion results in two problems: the increase in environmental pollution emissions, such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, and the increase in the rate of black carbon.
Environment Minister Khaled Fahmy instructed ministry departments in Lower Egypt to tighten measures on farmers who violate these regulations by sending inspection committees to investigate.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
