Health fears as Lebanon rubbish crisis deepens

Doctors say a spike in respiratory diseases is a result of eight months of uncollected waste piled up on country's streets

Lebanon's rubbish collection crisis, which caused thousands to protest on the streets last summer, is now in its eighth month with no resolution in sight. Though it has prompted political debates and occasional heated discussions, Lebanese medical professionals are increasingly alarmed by its effect on health.

At the emergency room at the Sacri(C)-Coeur hospital outside Beirut, doctors say they are seeing a spike in severe respiratory diseases and believe it is tied to the ongoing trash disaster.