Thick black smoke sparks health fears

Dubai: The black smoke billowing over Dubai's skyline on Wednesday increased the concentrations of harmful pollutants within the city's urban environment.

The toxic emissions - including sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and phosphorus compounds - will be inhaled by people for days. The city and surrounding habitats will also be coated by residue when the particles settle.

Emirates Environment Group (EEG), a voluntary, non-government organisation based in Dubai, said the large plume of smoke was very alarming and a reminder for everyone to be vigilant about the environment.

Habiba Al Marashi, Chairperson of EEG, said: "Although the details [from Wednesday morning's tragedy] are still unknown this is still a clear example of how our businesses, our communities and are environment are one entity. This situation points to a greater focus on the environment as well as health and safety.

She said: "EEG's first thoughts went to all those injured or killed in the explosion. We applaud the public service departments for having strict rules and regulations regarding illegal firework storage and for their swift inter-emirate corrective action.

"We hope to see the proper implementation of these preventative measures to limit future environmental damage and we join the public authorities in wanting to find the real costs of the explosion.''