Environment

Industrial generators pose significant environmental, health risks in Kurdistan Region

The operation of these generators releases significant amounts of carbon emissions, posing a serious threat to human health and contributing to global warming.

Kurdistan 24 Digital Media 2024/08/02 12:33

An industrial generator in a neighborhood in Erbil. (Photo: Kurdistan24)

Kurdistan Industrial Generators Electricity Enviromental pollution Dilshad Hirani Erbil Environmental Office Health Risks

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Industrial generators, commonly known as private generators in the Kurdistan Region, have been identified as a major source of environmental pollution.

The operation of these generators releases significant amounts of carbon emissions, posing a serious threat to human health and contributing to global warming.

Gustan Rashid, a concerned citizen, expressed his frustration to Kurdistan24's correspondent Shaima Bayiz, stating, "We are tired of the generators. We have no life; we smell smoke from morning to evening. We ask them to remove the generators."

She added, "The generator emits very black smoke and the smell of gas is unbearable. They might be using dirty gas, which makes it smell bad. We pay for two electricity sources, but we would prefer to pay for one if the government could provide 24-hour electricity."

Despite the Environmental Board's issuance of guidelines and laws in 2022 to regulate the operation of generators in neighborhoods, including requirements for silent and smokeless operation, the impact of these machines continues to be a concern.

The guidelines also mandate the planting of greenery and trees around the generators to mitigate their environmental impact.

Dilshad Hirani, director of the Erbil Environmental Office, highlighted the health risks associated with generator emissions.

"The smoke from the generators has a significant impact, as it contains nitrogen and carbon monoxide, which can lead to cancer and asthma. Generators must be surrounded by walls, and the gas used must be of good quality," Hirani said. "We have punished five generator owners so far for non-compliance."

Currently, there are 1,608 private generators within Erbil and an additional 857 around the city. The local authorities continue to monitor and enforce regulations to reduce the harmful effects of these generators on both the environment and public health.