Air pollution and its reduction is a global dilemma. It now appears one of mankind’s oldest practices, trash burning, may be contributing significantly to the problem.

A new study shows more than 40 percent of the world’s garbage is set afire, sending a variety of toxic substances into the air. CCTV America’s Hendrik Sybrandy reports.

The National Center for Atmospheric Research estimates 41 percent of the world’s garbage, 1.1 billion tons, goes up in smoke each year.

NCAR scientist Christine Wiedinmyer decided to probe further into trash burning after traveling to Ghana and witnessing it firsthand. She discovered that trash fires spew a thick stew of particulates, metals and gases into the air.

Wiedinmyer said trash-burning is most common in developing countries, places where there are fewer landfills and incinerators. According Wiedinmyer’s study, these fires produce roughly 5 percent of human-related carbon dioxide emissions.