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UN Warns of Hazardous Waste Threat After Beirut Blast

Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA - '¯The U.N. Development Program warns the explosion at the Port
   of Beirut has unleashed tons of hazardous waste that pose enormous
   threats to health and the environment if not disposed of properly.

   The prognosis is not good. U.N. officials say the situation preceding
   the blast that turned parts of Lebanon's capital city into rubble was
   already dismal. They say huge quantities of construction and demolition
   waste were generated when the 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate stored at
   the port exploded nearly one month ago.

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