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BACKYARDBURNINGISAHEALTHHAZARD

Backyard burning is a more serious threat topublic health and the environment than previous-ly believed and has been banned by many stateand local governments. Burning household wasteproduces many toxic chemicals and is one of thelargest known sources of dioxins in the nation.

DIOXINS

What are dioxins?Dioxins are highly toxic, long-lasting organiccompounds. They are dangerous even atextremely low levels and have been linked to sev-eral health problems, including cancer and devel-opmental and reproductive disorders.How are dioxins formed?Dioxins are formed when products containingcarbon and chlorine are burned. Even very smallamounts of chlorine can produce dioxins.Because burn barrels do not have the same strictcontrols as municipal incinerators, barrel burningreleases significant amounts of dioxins. Trying toprevent dioxins from forming by separating outitems high in chlorine content is not effective,since low levels of chlorine are present in mosthousehold trash.

How are we exposed to dioxins?Dioxins accumulate in the food chain. Airbornedioxins can settle onto feed crops, which arethen eaten by domestic meat and dairy animals.Dioxins also can settle on water or enter water-waysthroughsoilerosion.These dioxinsaccu-mulate in the fats of animals, and then inhumans when we consume meat, fish, and dairyproducts.

OTHERAIRPOLLUTANTS

Smoke from burn barrels c~ntains hazardous pollutantssuch as particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, lead, mercury,and hexachlorobenzene. These pollutants can haveimmediate and long-term health effects such as:

. Asthma, emphysema, or other respiratoryillnesses.

.Nervous system, kidney, or liver damage..Reproductive or developmental disorders.

Not only are the people who burn trash exposed tothese pollutants, but so are their families and neighbors.Children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respi-ratory conditions can be especially vulnerable.

Ash

The ash residue from backyard burning can containtoxic pollutants, such as mercury, lead, chromium, andarsenic, which can contaminate vegetables if scatteredin gardens. Children can accidentally swallow toxicmaterials from dirt on their hands while playing neardiscarded ash.

DIOXININTHEFOODCHAIN

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/"111, TYOOCA,NOQ"! .Reduce. Youcan reduce the amount of \t waste you generate by using durable, long- I

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, lastinggoods and avoidingdisposable items;I buying products in bulk; and lookingforI products withless packaging.II .ReUse. Reusing items is another waylQ

reduce the amount of waste you generate'.Repair; sell, or donate used or unwantediterns or organize a neighborhood sWapevent. One person's trash is aI1pfuer per-son's treasure!

. Compost; Composting is a great"waytodispose of yard trlO)O1ingsandfood $Craps,while creating a natwal, freg f~rfilizer.Manycommunities offerweekend classes on howto compast,'and some even provide com-posting bins at a reduced cost or show yoa\how to buildyour own.

..Recycle. Contact your local govenimenttofind out about curbside pick-up of recyclablematerials or drop-off locations.

.Properly Dispose 9f Waste. Don't litteror dump illegally.Use a waste collectionservice or take your waste to a transfer sta-tion, convenience center, or 10callandfil1.Check with your local officialsto learnabout collectionservice and drop-off sitesinyour community.

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Tools You Can Use

.To learn more about the dangers of back-yard burning and disposal alternatives, visitEPA's Backyard Burning Web site at<www.epa.gov/mswlbackyard>. This site alsoprovides brochures, and links to state environ-mental departments and their open burningregulations, as well as links to numerous localgovernment programs, codes, and ordinances..Earth 911 <www.earth911.org> has com-munity- and state-specific recycling and dispos-al information by ZIP code. Or call 1-800-CLEANUP for the same information.

.For more information on dioxins, how theyare formed, associated health effects, andother frequently asked questions, visit EPA'sDioxin Web site at <www.epa.gov/ncea/dioxin.htm>..Contact local officials for more informationon regulations and disposal alternatives in yourcommunity.

Oconto County Solid Waste Dept.301 Washington Street, Oconto, WI 54153920-834-6827

Visit the OcontoCountywebsite forinformationon proper recyclingof cardboard,newspaper,aluminum,tin cans, glass bottles &jars, plastic beveragecontainers(#1 & #2),waste oil, batteries,appliances& tires, drop-off center locations in your municipality,do'sand don'ts of recyclingand linksto WDNRwebsitespertainingto open burning.

Oconto Co. website: www.co.oconto.wi.us

WDNR website: http://dnr.wi.gov/environmentprotectl 0bl

OUTDOOR BURNING RULES & GUIDELINES

-Burning permits are required to bum outdoors-Burning permits are free and available tohomeowners for residential burning. Businessesare prohibited from burning unless licensed by theDNR for energy recovery.- Only households may bum leaves, brush, cleanuntreated or unpainted wood & confidential papers- Illegal burning is a crime and may result in finesof up to $500 for each day there is a violation.

BURN BARRELS & BURNING OF WASTE IS:UNHEAL THY:

-No pollution control ...-Generate cancer causing chemicals & heavy metals f--Health risks are emphysema, asthma, birth defects.

UNNEIGHBORLY:

-Causes lingering smoke-Strong odors-Endangers health

UNSAFE:

-Places firefighters andcitizens at risk

-Wildfires are costly!!

UNNECESSARY:

-Recycling is MANDATORY in Wisconsin-Oconto County has an effective recycling program-Local haulers offer convenient curbside pickup ofgarbage & recyclables

USUALLY ILLEGAL:

-Used to bum garbage-Used to bum recyclables-Burning Permit restrictions not followed

OUTDOOR BURNING IS YOURRESPONSIBILITY! !!!

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

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Photograph courtesy of Tim Rudzik

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TOPROTECT YOUR HEALTHAND

THE ENVIRONMENT

Burning household waste inburn barrels or open pilesmight be common in your

community. But the smoke fromthese fires contains dangerouschemicals that affect your healthand pollute our environment.Stopping backyard burning willhelp us all breathe easier.