USE OF PLASTIC MATERIAL IN BRICK KILNS AND ITS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS: A CASE STUDY OF TALUKA KHAIRPUR

Abstract

The increasing use of plastic materials as a substitute fuel in brick kilns has emerged as a major environmental challenge in many developing regions. This study focuses on Taluka Khairpur in Sindh, Pakistan, where brick kiln operators have adopted plastic waste such as polyethylene bags, discarded footwear, and plastic bottles as an inexpensive alternative to conventional fuels like coal or firewood. While cost-effective, this practice poses severe environmental and public health risks.

Burning plastic releases a variety of toxic substances including dioxins, furans, heavy metals, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), which contribute to air pollution and soil contamination. These emissions are especially harmful in rural areas where kilns are located near agricultural lands and densely populated settlements. Soil samples collected near kilns show reduced fertility and increased heavy metal content, while air quality assessments indicate dangerously high levels of pollutants. The proximity of kilns to farmland has directly impacted crop yields, and farmers report noticeable declines in productivity over recent years.Health surveys conducted among residents living within a 2-kilometer radius of the kilns reveal a surge in pollution-related illnesses, including chronic respiratory infections, skin disorders, eye irritation, and fatigue. More than 65% of participants reported persistent health issues they attribute to the pollution caused by brick kilns.This case study highlights the urgent need for regulatory enforcement, improved solid waste management practices, and awareness campaigns to address the environmental damage being caused. The findings support the implementation of alternative kiln technologies and stricter controls on plastic burning to safeguard public health and ecological sustainability in Taluka Khairpur and similar regions.