Dangers of burning copper wire
The manager of a local scrap yard, Wane Collins, spoke to Review on the risks and dangers associated with burning copper.
POLOKWANE –The demand for recycled copper is increasing rapidly and along with that the danger people put themselves in to meet the demand.
“When people burn copper, either to dispose of it or to clean the insulation from it so it can be sold, they are not only putting themselves in danger but those around them as well. The risks of burning copper include the risk of inhaling toxic fumes, burns from hot copper, and the risk of fire due to copper exploding and setting nearby trees or buildings alight,” Collins explained.
The dangers of released toxins:
The copper wire that is found in most buildings are protected by a layer of insulation. This insulation is often removed over a low flame which then releases toxins like heavy metal particles, dioxins and other harmful chemicals.
Inhaling these toxins can lead to, among others, heavy metal poisoning which can damage the nervous system, lung infection and inflammation, and heart problems.
“Inhaling these toxins can also increase your risk of getting cancer,” Collins added.
Even after the insulation has been removed, the copper wiring is still not safe:
Copper will release copper particles which can cause kidney and lung damage. “Copper also retains heat easily, so there is an increased risk of injuring yourself when you handle the copper,” Collins explained.
Copper leaves a residue in the water it is washed or cooled in:
When the insulation has been removed from copper wire, it is often rinsed in water to cool or wash it. This is detrimental to the environment, people and animals as the chemicals released by the copper remains in the water. “These chemicals damage the ground it penetrates as it damages the soil richness, there is also the risk of people or animals getting poisoned when they accidentally consume the water,” Collins added.
He urged people who burn copper to sell it for an income to at least do it in a safe way and in a location where it will not pose a risk to others. “I do not think it is possible to keep people from selling copper or burning it beforehand to clean it. There is a high demand for copper and often the prices paid for it are high. I feel it is the responsibility of scrap metal dealers to try and make sure people are safe while burning copper as it is often their only income,” Collins said.
Police have warned in the recent past that businesses like scrap metal dealers must make sure they are educated and aware of which copper is illegally sold and that they should keep meticulous record of all the copper sellers along with their contact details to enable authorities to accurately trace the origin of the copper in accordance with the Criminal Matters Amendment Act which recently came into effect. The law is clear that if any discrepancies are found, the guilty parties can be charged and issued a fine or even jail time.
riana@nmgroup.co.za
