Dangers of Residential Leaf Burning

An Unhealthy Solution to Leaf Disposal

Q: Why should I be concerned about leaf burning?

A: leaf burning leads to air pollution, health problems, and fire hazards. Each autumn, homeowners across the United States rake up fallen leaves from their lawns. In the past, people routinely took leaves and other yard trimmings to landfills or relied on waste pick-up services for disposal of the leaves. Because of increasingly scarce landfill space, many State and local governments now ban leaves and other yard trimmings from landfills. With this option removed, there is a growing concern that homeowners may be tempted to burn the leaves in their yards.

Q: What types of air pollutants are emitted from burning leaf piles?

A: The open burning of leaves produces particulate matter and hydrocarbons, which contain a number of toxic, irritant, and carcinogenic (cancer-causing) compounds. Leaf smoke also contains carbon monoxide.

Q: What is particulate matter and why is it a health concern?

A: The visible smoke from leaf burning is composed of tiny particles that contain a number of pollutants. If inhaled, these microscopic particles can reach the deepest regions of the lung and remain there for months or even years. Breathing particulate matter can increase the chances of respiratory infection, reduce the volume of air inhaled and impair the lungs' ability to use that air. Particulate matter can also trigger asthma attacks in some people.

Q: What are hydrocarbons and why are they harmful?

A: Hydrocarbons are chemicals that can exist as both gases and solid particles. Because leaves are often moist and burn without proper air circulation, they often burn poorly, producing high levels of hydrocarbons. Some of these hydrocarbons, such as aldehydes and ketones, cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. A substantial portion of the hydrocarbons in leaf smoke consists of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, some of which are known carcinogens.

Q: What is carbon monoxide and what are its health effects?

A: Carbon monoxide is an invisible gas that results from incomplete combustion, and burning leaf piles are ideal for creating carbon monoxide emissions. Carbon monoxide is absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs and combines with red blood cells. This reduces the amount of oxygen the red blood cells can absorb and supply to body tissues. Unborn children, newborn infants, smokers, the elderly, and persons with heart and chronic lung disease are more susceptible to carbon monoxide than the general population. Hydrocarbons Particulate Matter Carbon Monoxide COUGH! HACK! COUGH! WHEEZE!

Q: Are there any other reasons homeowners should not burn leaves?

A: Yes. In many communities open burning of leaves is illegal. Furthermore, the total health, financial, and environmental costs of leaf burning can be quite high. These costs include:

(1) higher incidences of health problems and increased health care costs;

(2) higher incidences of home and forest fires and associated property loss and need for increased fire protection; and

(3) the clean-up costs associated with soiling of personal property.

Q: Is there a better alternative for homeowners to dispose of their leaves?

A: Yes! Composting is a safe and environmentally sound method of managing leaves and other yard trimmings. Proper composting does not cause health or fire hazards and, in fact, can be beneficial to gardens and lawns. Composting is a simple process that involves placing yard trimmings and other organic materials in a pile or bin, maintaining adequate moisture, and turning the pile periodically to mix in air. Microorganisms gradually break down the yard trimmings into a humus-like product called compost. Composting can be practical at home or at community operated compost sites.

Community-wide programs are already in place in over 2,200 communities in the United States. Let's get some in place right here! Please help in our fight for the right to air without hydrocarbons for our families and speak out against residential leaf burning.

Case and Point

It was done right here in our own back yard of South Bend in 1989 by the petition started by Mr. Richard Miller, a south bend retired steel worker, who suffered repritory distress during a heavy leaf burning period in 1985 (Duda) and had been hospitalized at a cost of $90,000. Upon his hospital discharge, he formed a "ban the burn" committee with alderwoman Loretta Duda. They enlisted help from physicians, nurses, and the local media for their campaign. They collected several thousand petitions against burning, including several hundred from elementary teachers who were tired of seeing their students miss school due to fall asthma attacks. A TV debate on the issue was held between Duda and another alderwoman who favored continued burning. A 1988 South Bend city council vote failed to ban leaf burning by one vote. Later that year, a seven- year- old child nearly died of an asthma attack during a burning period. Moved by the near death of the child, the alderwoman who debated Duda then dramatically changed her vote and a leaf ban and leaf pick up service was instituted for South Bend in 1989. Their leaf collection service has gone smoothly, with few complaints and costs less than $3 per resident per year (Duda).

Let's Stop Burning in Granger!

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