Polk Township Vol. Fire Dept.
Burning Trash? Did you know...
It's that time of year again; Springtime in Indiana. The leaves have finally returned and the grass is growing (so are those pesky dandelions). It's the yard care season again; raking last season's leaves, trimming the trees and mowing the grass. Nothing makes your home look better than a well kept yard. But after all of that hard work, you've got a pile of yard waste. Before you get the urge to burn, there's a few things you should learn!
Smoke damages health
All smoke contains toxic pollutants. Since smoke is usually low to the ground, it's often inhaled before it disperses.Open burning can cause...
- Eye, nose and throat irritation
- Lung irritation and congestion
- Shortness of breath and coughing
- Stomach or intestinal upset
- Headaches or memory loss
- Skin irritations or burns
- Eye damage
Older people, those with lung problems and pregnant or nursing women can suffer serious health risks also.
Are you breaking the law?
It use to be common practice to open burn your trash and yard waste. But there are safer alternatives. State law permits open burning of "clean wood products" such as leaves, branches and paper as long as you follow the rules:- Only clean wood products can be burned
- Only burn during safe weather conditions; not high winds or pollution alert days
- Fires must be attended until completely extinguished
- Can only burn in a noncombustible vented container; like a metal drum with enclosed sides and bottom. Burning on the ground by residents is illegal.
- Open burning prohibited at mobile home parks, apartments or building with more than four dwelling units.
- Only burn during daylight hours.
- Fires must be extinguished if they create a hazard, nuisance, pollution problem or threat to public health.
- Adequate firefighting equipment must be nearby.
- Buring activity must comply with all other Federal, State and Local laws, rules and ordinances.
What type of Open burning is allowed?
Indiana State law has exempted several open burning activities:- Burning of vegetation for wildlife habitat maintenance, forest and natural area management, and fire fighting or prevention.
- Recreational or ceremonial fires, such as barbecues, campfires and fires for scouting activities.
- Burning of vegetation from a farm, an orchard, nursery, a tree farm or a drainage ditch.
Burning toxic trash is illegal!
Burning household trash and outdoor waste, like plastics and building materials is both illegal and dangerous. Dangerous pollutants are left behind in the ashes and will contaminate ground and water.
Tires
- Burning tires release toxic gases in heavy black smoke. The oily residue left behind will contaminate groundwater and streams. Tire fires are extremely difficult for firefighters to extinguish.
- Treated Wood
- Burning treated wood is extremely dangerous. Some woods are treated with arsenic, chromium, copper or creosote. Typically treated wood has a greenish color. Documented instances prove that a single exposure to treated wood smoke can cause crippling injuries.
- Asbestos
- Asbestos is found in many building materials. It is very fire retardant and can be found in asphalt roof shingles, vinyl siding, insulation, plastic wiring and floor tile. Microscopic asbestos fibers can easily be inhaled into your lungs, causing lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.
If you get caught...
Violators may pay a fine or the cost of having the fire extinguished. You may also have to pay for property damages if the fire escapes.Safer alternatives
- Composting
- Compost your leaves, grass, brush, kitchen waste and organic scraps. Contact your local Agriculture Extension Office for composting tips. Visit Purdue University Cooperative Extension Marshall County for more information.
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
- Contact your local Solid Waste Management District office for reuse and recycling tips. Marshall County's Solid Waste Management District can be reached at (574) 935-8618 .
Play it safe.
Know the Laws.
Sources: IDEM
John D. Einhorn