OPEN BURNING OF YARD WASTESWALDEN UNIVERSITYPUBH-8165-001INSTRUCTOR: DR. JOANNE FLOWERSFALL QUARTER, 2009

Objectives

Overview of open burning of yard wastes

The public health significance

Alternative waste management options

Stakeholders

Wayne County Solid Waste Department North Carolina Department of

Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Air Quality

Wayne County Cooperative Extension Center

Local schools and parent organizations Doctors, medical, and other public health

professionals

Intended Audience

Community Leaders County managers of Solid Waste and

Public Health departments

Open burning

Definition: “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” (Clean Air Council).

Burning of trash is illegal, however burning of leaves and yard waste is permitted where “allowed under local ordinance, no public pickup is available and if it doesn't cause a public nuisance” (Wayne County Solid Waste Management, 2009).

References: Clean Air Council. (n.d.) Open burning. Retrieved October 17, 2009, from

http://www.cleanair.org/Air/OpenBurning.htm. Wayne County Solid Waste Management. (2009). Open burning. Retrieved October 17, 2009, from

http://www.waynegov.com/165810316164725693/blank/browse.asp?A=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&C=54489.

Public Health Significance

Open burning of yard wastes emits polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (EPA, 2002).

PAHs are carcinogenic in animals, and possibly in humans. Chronic exposure to PAHs have been associated with negative pulmonary, gastrointestinal, renal and dermatologic effects (ATSDR, 2008).

References

ATSDR. (2008). Toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) what health effects are associated with pah exposure? Retrieved October 25, 2009, from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/pah/pah_physiologic-effects.html/.

EPA. (2002). Emissions of Organic Air Toxics from Open Burning. (EPA Report EPA/600/R-02/076). Research Triangle Park, NC: US. EPA Office of Research and Development.

Public Health Significance

Burning leaves and yard waste also emits particulates, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons with the amounts varying by type of leaf, moisture content, and type of ignition method (EPA, 1976).

61% to 98% of the particulates emitted are less than 2 micrometers (EPA, 1976), again depending on the factors above.

References

EPA. (1976). Emission factor development for leaf burning. (EPA Report 450-3-76-044). Research Triangle Park, NC: US. EPA Office of Research and Development.

Public Health Significance

Particulates less than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) are of significant health concern because they have been associated with “increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways,

coughing, or difficulty breathing; decreased lung function; aggravated asthma; development of chronic bronchitis; irregular heartbeat; nonfatal heart attacks; and premature death in people with heart or lung disease” (EPA, 2008).

Reference:

EPA. (2008). Particulate matter: health and environment Retrieved October, 25, 2009, from http://www.epa.gov/air/particlepollution/health.html.

Public Health Significance

PM2.5 is also associated with decreased visibility (EPA, 2008).

Carbon monoxide is a harmful pollutant which is especially dangerous to people with cardiovascular disease (Moeller, 2005).

References:

EPA. (2008). Particulate matter: health and environment Retrieved October, 25, 2009, from http://www.epa.gov/air/particlepollution/health.html.

Moeller, D.W. Environmental health. (2005). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Public Health Significance

Hydrocarbons in reactions with nitrogen oxides and sunlight can form ground level ozone, which irritates the lungs and eyes as well as damages millions to billions of agricultural crops annually (Moeller, 2005).

Reference:

Moeller, D.W. Environmental health. (2005). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Public Health Significance

At greatest risk from the pollutants from open burning are children, the elderly, and those suffering from cardiovascular diseases and lung problems (Indiana Department of Environmental Management).

Reference:

Indiana Department of Environmental Management. (n.d.). Open burning fact sheet. Retrieved October 17, 2009, from http://www.in.gov/idem/4549.htm.

Alternatives to Open Burning Yard Waste Pickup Composting – businesses or individuals Reduce or Recycle

Wood debris can be turned into mulch or decorative chips

Orange County, NC turns construction wood wastes into mulch which it sells to the public, as well as organic compost made from food and other wastes

References: Clean Air Council.(n.d.). How to ban leaf burning in your community. Philadelphia, PA: Author. Canadian Lung Association. (2008). Outdoor air quality. Retrieved October 25, 2009, from

http://www.lung.ca/protect-protegez/pollution-pollution/outdoor-exterior/heating-chauffage_e.php#open. Orange County Solid Waste Management. (2009). Earth products. Retrieved October 18, 2009, from

http://www.co.orange.nc.us/recycling/earthproducts.asp.

The dangers of open burning In addition to pollution, if mismanaged,

open burning can lead to unintended fires.

In 2007, over 2,400 fires were caused by the burning of debris (NC Division of Forest Resources)

Reference:

NC Division of Forest Resources. (n.d.) fires by cause in North Carolina, 1970-2007. Retrieved October 25, 2009, from http://www.dfr.state.nc.us/fire_control/wildfire_statistics.htm.

Management of Yard Wastes Why can’t we just throw it into the landfill?1. One of the main producers of methane gas in

the U.S. is decomposition of food and yard wastes in landfills (Orange County Solid Waste Management, 2009; EPA, 2009. Methane is a greenhouse gas which contributes

to global warming.

References EPA. (2009). Methane sources & emissions. Retrieved October 25, 2009, from

http://www.epa.gov/methane/sources.html. Orange County Solid Waste Management. (2009). Home composting. Retrieved October 17,

2009, from http://www.co.orange.nc.us/recycling/compost.asp.

Management of Yard Wastes Why can’t we just throw it into the landfill?2. The amount of yard wastes collected can

be significant. In one year, Orange County NC landfill

managed more than 8,900 tons of vegetative and clean wood wastes (OCSWM, 2009).

References Orange County Solid Waste Management. (2009). Home composting. Retrieved October

17, 2009, from http://www.co.orange.nc.us/recycling/compost.asp.

Management of Yard Wastes Thus, yard wastes taken to the landfill will

need to be managed. Associated costs include:

Pick up of yard wastes and transportation to landfill

However, some composting operations have found cost-reductions from keeping the waste out of landfills as well as from income by selling the compost (Clean Air Council).

Orange County, NC has a model of accepting, recycling and selling yard and wood waste.

References Clean Air Council.(n.d.). How to ban leaf burning in your community. Philadelphia, PA: Author.

Management of Yard Wastes However the advantages to banning the

burning of yard wastes can be substantial: Cleaner air Healthier environment for humans and

crops Fewer unintended fires