· BNE continues to flare around the clock. These pictures were taken on May 18, 2011 at 9:40am. Because of the haze, the waste from the flare is staying close to the ground as it travels toward the Belize River. Every time one passes Belize Natural Energy (BNE), you notice the flare and the particles. Gas flaring is generally discouraged as it releases toxic components into the atmosphere and contributes to climate change.
· Flares have harmful effects on the health and livelihood of the communities in their vicinity, as they release a variety of poisonous chemicals including nitrogen dioxides, sulphur dioxide, volatile organic compounds like benzene, toluene, xylene and hydrogen sulfide, as well as carcinogens like benzapyrene and dioxin. Humans exposed to such substances can suffer from a variety of respiratory problems. These chemicals can aggravate asthma, cause breathing difficulties and pain, as well as chronic bronchitis. Benzene known to be emitted from gas flares in undocumented quantities, is well recognized as a cause for leukemia and other blood-related diseases.
