Environmental and Health Impact of Open Burning Rice Straw

Abstract

Introduction: Egypt is an agricultural country and the largest rice producer in the Middle East region. It is an important strategic crop that is planted in Nile Delta area. The term rice straw describes the dry stalks of the rice crop that remains after the removal of the grain during harvesting process. Rice straw biochemical composition is the typical structure of agricultural- based lignocellulosic residue. Farmers all over the world had the habit of open burning of rice straw as a disposal method of the voluminous residues of harvested rice. This practice causes significant amount of air pollutants like gases as NOx, CO, CO2, fine dust (PM2.5, and PM10), that affects the air quality, leads to climatic changes and deteriorates public health. The Egyptian Ministry of Environmental Affairs had controlled this practice that has both environmental and health impacts, through installing intelligent monitors all over Egypt that give alarm in case of exceeding the limits stated by the national environmental law. Efforts had been directed towards onsite collection of rice straw and convincing farmers to recycle the straw into a wide range of products and to provide them with machines for the processing of the rice straw for free added to exploring opportunities of agro-industrial uses as household fuel, livestock bedding, papers, fertilizers, furniture and construction. Consequently, increase the commercial demand for rice straw that derived up prices resulting in the establishment of more rural activities and services. This act improvedthe air quality and reduced the negative impact on the environment and public health.