PESHAWAR, Aug 10: The provincial government's failure to take effective measures against illegal use of rubber as fuel in brick kilns is posing threat to environment and public health in different areas.

The use of used tyres as fuel is prohibited under Section 17 of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997. A large number of kilns in the province were illegally using rubber as fuel, sources said.

"It is very hard to end the practice for the understaffed provincial environment department," an official said. Business circles said the kilns operating on the outskirts of the provincial capital were using rubber as fuel in place of coal as there was no surveillance by the law-enforcement agencies there.

There are about 400 brick kilns in the province. The owner of a brick kiln in the Phundu road area, Falak Niaz, claimed that kilns in the provincial capital were not using rubber as fuel.

"I have been imprisoned on charges of using rubber and a team patrols the area where brick kilns are situated round the clock," he said. EPA officials said no unit in the city was violating the law.

"But we cannot rule out the possibility if someone uses the banned item after the official working hours," an official said. According to sources, owners of kilns in Urmer, Azakhel, Zangali, Uch Neher, Kohat road and other ares burn rubber despite the ban.

"The surveillance is done only in the Phundu road area, where there are 30 to 40 kilns," said Mr Niaz. EPA Deputy Director Dr Hussain Ahmed said the agency had issued notices to about 20 kilns after it was reported that they were violating the ban.

"We act appropriately upon receiving credible information," he said. According to experts, use of rubber as fuel produces a poisonous gas, sulphur dioxide, that results in air pollution and water contamination.

Sulphurous fumes cause sulphuric acid rains that contaminate underground water posing health hazards and endangering aquatic life. Dr Ahmed said burning of rubber posed risks of mental disorders and respiratory diseases to people.

Kiln owners claimed that rubber was preferred because of market demand. Sulphur helped in producing yellow bricks, which were in demand, they said. Mr Niaz said rubber was used only to produce yellow bricks and there was no other benefit of the illegal practice.

EPA Director Dr Bashir Khan said the practice could only be curtailed if those found involved in it were put behind the bars. "Only serving notices and monitoring will not help," he said.

He said the agency was doing its best to solve the problem. "How can an agency be effective with only four inspectors at its disposal," an official said. The EPA, NWFP, has moved cases against nine owners of brick kilns under charges of causing air pollution by using rubber as fuel.