FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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'Wear face masks' when burning paper for Chinese New Year

'Wear face masks' when burning paper for Chinese New Year

DOCTORS have warned that people who burn silver or golden paper for deceased ancestors during the Chinese New Year should wear face masks, as burning this paper is similar to burning joss sticks and produces carcinogenic substances, including the heavy me

Dr Manoon Leechawengwong, the head of Vichaiyut Hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU), who is part of the Chulabhorn Research Institute’s toxicology research team, said they had published findings about this in a foreign science journal. He said these carcinogenic substances could cause lung cancer, slow development in children, anaemia, or kidney failure, while manganese posed a risk of Parkinson’s disease in elderly people.
He said ashes should be disposed of properly – like industrial waste – rather than thrown in a bin or sprinkled over soil or water, because the substances would return to the ecosystem. He cited Taiwanese authorities who gather such dust during the Chinese New Year from people’s homes for disposal in a waste incinerator.
He urged Bangkok and other big cities to follow suit and called for the Industry Ministry to control the production of silver or golden paper, or other offerings, saying they should not to be coated by bright colours or glossy materials – to prevent the creation of carcinogenic fumes and pollution.
Health Department chief Dr Pornthep Prathanvanich also said the burning of a large amount of silver or golden paper would result in lead fumes that could affect people’s health.
Such paper is available in three types: those coated with lead, those coated by colour, and those printed in colour by offset technology, he explained. Paper coated in lead is most popular, but had from 21 to 85 milligrams of lead per piece, so people should be careful and wash their hands after touching it and wear face masks while burning the paper – preferably outdoors, he said.

 

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