Environmentalists seek ban on foam spray in Kuwait

Manama: Kuwait's Environment Supreme Council has urged the government to ban the sale of foam spray used during celebrations in Kuwait.

The council, acting upon recommendations from the Environment Public Authority (EPA), the interior, health, commerce ministries and the Public Authority for Industry submitted a report to the committee overseeing public celebrations detailing the spray's numerous negative impacts.

"Analyses and examinations have confirmed that most compounds from which the foam is made are cancerous," said Mohammad Al Enzi, head of the industrial environmental department.

According to last year's statistics, more than 1,800 people were infected with different diseases within four days of celebrations and were referred to the Ophthalmic Hospital.

Several others were inflicted with skin infections. A campaign to ensure that the 2011 celebrations would be foam-less has been launched.