Backyard Trash Burning
Household burn barrels, fire pits, wood stoves, or similar homemade devices produce low-temperature fires. They receive very little oxygen and produce a lot of smoke. Under these conditions, a variety of toxic substances is produced.
Toxic air pollutants
Pollutants produced by backyard trash burning are released primarily into the air, and close to ground level where they are easily inhaled—with no pollution controls!
Burn barrel air emissions include carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Smaller amounts of more poisonous chemicals are commonly detected in the smoke: benzene, styrene, formaldehyde, polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs or “dioxins”), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs or “furans”), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic.
Health Concerns
Smoke created by backyard garbage burning especially affects people with sensitive respiratory systems, as well as children and the elderly. Exposure to smoke can also increase the risk of heart disease, cause rashes, nausea, and headaches.
Dioxin. Among the environmental and health risks posed by residential garbage burning, dioxin is the key concern. Dioxin is a potent human carcinogen that is especially harmful for pregnant women, children, and the elderly. Dioxin is also an endocrine disrupter and can cause reproductive, developmental, and immunological problems in humans and animals.
U.S. EPA research shows that burn barrels are the #1 source of dioxin in the U.S. Just one burn barrel can produce as much or more than a full-scale municipal waste combustor burning 200 tons/day.
With so many Junk removal services such as 24hr Junk, there is no need to burn your trash. 24hr Junk is our name and full service is our game. Only lift a finger to point us to your trash and we’ll take care of the rest.
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