SWABI, Aug 1: Brick-kilns situated near residential areas in the district pose a serious health hazard and no action has been taken by the authorities concerned despite repeated complaints filed against them.

A survey undertaken by this correspondent showed that brick-kiln workers suffered the most in terms of deteriorating health. All kilns burn coal and none of them has proper ventilation systems.

Chimneys are set too low which results in the spreading of toxic smoke and ash over a wide populated area. Inhaling toxic fumes and particles emitted by brick kilns pose a threat to the health of the local people and expose them to a wide variety of dangerous diseases.

A majority of kilns are situated on the Swabi-Topi route in Gulu Dheri, Sher Baz Banda, Nawazabad areas and near the Maini road. Brick kilns are also located along Swabi-Mardan, Swabi- Totali and Swabi-Skindaray roads.

The people alleged that the government was not taking any action against brick kilns because these units belonged to people with clout. They said that they could not put their utensils out in the courtyards as ash particles tended to stick to food items, adding that ash particles soiled their clothes if they slept in open air during the summer season.

In majority of cases, whole families, worked in brick kilns as labourers as they spend money after taking money in advance and failing to return the same.