New Delhi’s garbage mountains act as heat bombs for India’s waste pickers

New Delhi’s garbage mountains act as heat bombs for India’s waste pickers
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In a feature report by Al Jazeera, New Delhi’s “garbage mountains” are described as becoming “heat bombs” that endanger the lives of waste pickers. These massive landfills, such as the Ghazipur dump, are constantly on fire due to methane gas, a byproduct of decomposing organic waste. The fires release toxic fumes and make the surrounding environment dangerously hot, posing a direct threat to the thousands of informal waste pickers who work on the dumps.

The article explains that these workers, many of whom are women and children, are exposed to a cocktail of hazardous substances, including plastic, medical waste, and heavy metals. The extreme heat and toxic air exacerbate health problems, leading to respiratory issues, skin diseases, and other long-term illnesses. The report highlights the lack of safe working conditions and the absence of a formal waste management system, which leaves these workers with no other option for a livelihood.