October 18, 2007

This Fall Consider Alternatives to Open Air Burning of Leaves

Every fall the controversy of open air burning of leaves and other yard waste seems to surface. Air quality experts are in agreement regarding the pollution concerns of burning yard waste and consideration should be given to open air burning alternatives. Open air burning is not an environmentally sound way of disposal of leaves and other debris from your yard and as fall closes in it is time to think of another way to dispose of leaves and yard waste.

The burning of leaves produces significant air “particulates” which are a hazard for the elderly, children, those with asthma and those at risk for heart attack. Particulates, also referred to as floating soot, are as thin as a human blood cell and can be embedded in the deepest regions of the lungs and remain there for years.

While local ordinances governing the ability of residents to open burn are a local matter, the reminder of the health hazards of open burning is a serious consideration for all of us. Open air burning a ton of leaves produces 38 pounds of pollution, while a ton of coal burned at a power plant releases only a half of a pound of air pollutants.

There are environmentally productive ways to dispose of unwanted leaves and yard debris: composting, curbside pick up where available, or mulching with a mulching lawn mower.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, sometimes concentrations of air pollutants from leaf burning can be so high that the air does not meet federal health standards. In some areas, burning of leaves and brush sometimes causes much higher levels of air pollution than all other forms of air pollution combined. Besides being an irritant, leaf smoke contains many hazardous chemicals, including carbon monoxide and benzo(a)pyrene. Carbon monoxide reduces the amount of oxygen that can be processed by the heart and lungs and benzo(a)pyrene is know to cause cancer.

Again, consider an alternative to open air burning this fall by composting your leaves, using curbside pickup or municipal drop off where possible, or mulch with a mulching lawnmower. Choosing not to burn leaves is a significant contribution we can make to our air quality in Wisconsin.

For more information on open air burning visit the Department of Natural Resources website at www.dnr.state.wi.us