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Open
burning is the burning of unwanted household materials or
yard wastes where smoke and other emissions are released
directly into the air without passing through a chimney
or stack. A single household that burns their garbage may
emit as many toxic chemicals as a heavily regulated incinerator
or factory, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency and New York State Department of Health.
To prevent
the toxic pollution and increased chances of health problems
associated with open burning, many individual townships and
boroughs have enacted open burning ordinances. Pennsylvania
state law further prohibits the opening burning of “domestic
refuse” anywhere in the state on property occupied by
three families or more.
Health
and Environmental Hazards
Much of
the unwanted waste produced in homes consists of plastic packaging
and other synthetic materials that when burned, can emit toxic
pollutants. In addition to causing air pollution and posing
a fire hazard, open burning increases the chances of health
problems such as: difficulty breathing, eye irritation and
lung, kidney, liver, and nervous system damage. According
to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection,
long-term exposure can be responsible for respiratory disease,
chronic bronchitis, asthmas attacks, and the aggravation of
symptoms of heart and lung disease. Even exposure to the burning
of leaves and other yard wastes can exacerbate the health
problems of those with asthma, emphysema and other respiratory
ailments.
Alternatives
Today there
is absolutely no reason for the burning of unwanted materials.
Safer and cleaner alternatives include recycling, composting
and using the waste collection services provided by your municipality.
If you
are concerned about open burning being conducted by a neighbor,
first start by politely explaining your concerns, offering
alternatives and asking that they stop. If burning continues,
research local ordinances pertaining to the burning and ask
your fire marshal to intervene. If needed, you can also work
with local elected officials to draft new ordinances. Some
helpful resources are listed below.
More
Information on Open Burning
Booklet
containing specific information on how to stop the open
burning of leaves in your community
Fact
sheet with further information from the Pennsylvania Department
of Environmental Protection
Provides
additional information on open burning as well as a model
of an open burning ordinance that can be adopted by your
local community
Searchable
database for your community’s legal codes. To find
your local ordinance, select your “city, state”
and then search for “open burning” or “fire.”
If
you are unable to find your local fire ordinance in this
database, contact your local fire marshal’s office.
For
additional information on open burning, contact Norm Feldman
of the Clean Air Council at 215-567-4004 ext. 101 (Wednesday
Only).
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