Lawmakers Najat Aoun Saliba and Melhem Khalaf on Monday addressed the subject of the ongoing fire at the blast-damaged grain silos of Beirut's port, which has been burning for about a month.

According to Saliba, concerns are associated with prolonged exposure to the small particles and carcinogenic material produced by the prolonged burning of grains in the port's silos. 

"Some harmful gases, such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide are disseminated by fermentation. Carbon monoxide levels could rise dangerously with the burning of these gases,” she noted.

Saliba warned against inhaling the blaze’s smoke, even for a brief time that could irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and result in immediate acute consequences.

“Long-term exposure to air directly containing PM2.5 particles has been shown to increase heart and vascular illnesses and corresponding fatalities,” she alarmed, pointing out that the risk also extends to areas far from the gas source. 

 “We emphasize that leaving the burning grains at the port's silos poses a serious health risk to the people of Beirut, and if the fire spreads without being put out, the towers of the silos will gradually collapse, which is already a significant source of PM2.5 particles, aggravating the risk that we already face,” she added.

As a result, Saliba called for answers to a series of questions within two days and threatened to debrief the ministers in parliament if they did not reply within the timeframe. 

She also asked them to prepare an immediate intervention plan to remedy the problem.