United States       EPA-452/F-92-007
        Environmental Protection  October 1992
        Agency

        Air
&EPA  Residential
        Leaf Burning

        An Unhealthy
        Solution to
        Leaf Disposal
         Printed on Recycled Paper

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Q: Why should 1 be concerned about frq burning?
Leaf burning le ls to air pollution, health p oblen , and
fire hazards. Each autunii, tx)n owners across the
United States iake up fallen leaves fmin their lawns.
In the past, people routinely took leaves and other yard
trimnings to landfills or ielied on waste pick-up
services for disposal of the leaves. Because of
increasingly scarce landfill space, n ny State and local
governn nts i w ban leaves and other yard trizrmings
from landfills. With ths option reimved, there is a
growing concern tbat homeowners t iny be tempted to
bum the leaves in their yards.
What twes of air pollutants are emitted from burning
leof piles?
The open burning of leaves pnxluces partictiate rintier
and hydrocarbons, which contain a amber of toxic,
un m, and caicinogenic (cancer.causing) ccnçc*inds.
Leaf smoke aiso contah s carbon nu xide.
What is particulate matter and why is it a health
concern?
The visible snike from leaf burning Is con osed of
tiny palicles tint contain a nunla of pollu*ants. If
inhaled , these niauscq)ic particles can re i the
deepest regions of the lung and remain these for
irnuths or even years. Breathing paliculate n ter
can iarease the clnnces of respira ry infecdon,
reduce the voliai of air inI led and lnçair the kings’
win”

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ability to use tl t air. Particulate n uer can also
trigger asthim attacks in son people.
Q: What are hydrxarbons and why are they harniful?
A: Hydrocarbons are chemicals that can exist as both
gases and solid particles. Because leaves are often
n ist and born withont pmp& air circulation, tt y
often born poorly, producing high levels of
hydrocarbons. Son of tt se hydrocarbons, such as
aldehydes and ketones, cause irntation of tt eyes,
nose, tluoat, and lungs. A substantial portion of the
hydrocarbons in leaf simke consists of polynuclear
arozmtic hydrocarbons, son of which are known
carcinogens.
What is carbon monoxide and what are its health
effects?
A: Carbon nxnoxide is an invisible gas that results from
irconçlete con ustion, and burning leaf piles are
ideal for creating carbon imnoxide emissions.
Carbon nx)noxide is absorbed into the bloodstream
through the lungs and con thines 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, simkers, the elderly, and
persons with heart and chronic lung disease are irore
susceptible to carbon monoxide than the general
popil on.

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Yes. In many coninunities open burning of leaves is
illegal. Furthernire, 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
uicidences of home and forest tires and associated
property loss and need for increased fire protection;
and (3) the clean-up costs associated with soiling of
personal property.
is there a better alternative for homeowners to dispose
Qf their leaves?
Yes! Con osting is a safe and environmentally sound
method of managing leaves and other yard trimmings.
Proper con osting does not cause health or fire
hazanis and, in fact, can be beneficial to gardens and
lawns. Con osting is a sin le process that involves
placing yard trimmings and other organic materials in
a pile or bin, maintainhig adequate nxisiure, and
turning the pile periodically to nix in air.
Mlauorganlszrs gradually break down the yard
trinmings into a bunbs-like product called c n ost.
COn ,osting can be practical at honE or at
ly opezaled con ost sites.
Conininity-wide programs e already in place in
over 2,200 conii mitles In the United States.
ii ii 111’I
Are there any other reaso,u homeowners should not
burn leaves?

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A:
A:
Q: What materials can I compost?
It is fine to corr ost c iiiy leaves, but other nnterlals
such as grass clippings, rmaue, coffee grcimds, and
vegetable and fniit peelings imy be composted as
well. Meat, grease, and dairy products should not be
composted, however, because they can cause odois
and aur t pests.
Q: What can Ido with compost?
Corrçost can serve imny porposes In your own ywd.
It can be used as a niilch in flowerbeds and azound
shnds, ci It can be ackled to the garden or to potting
soils as a soil conditioner. It can also be spread on
lawns as a top dressing.
Q: What are the benefits of composting?
Con ostlng Is a form o(recydlng and helps ruIi
soil compsctlosi and ezoskm.. It helps soil retain
nI)lsture and aitrients as well as iz easIng soil
fertility. When leaves are composted along with grass
clippings, which contain nhtiogen, the resulting
compost can also serve as an organic fertilizer
4:
COMPOST

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Q: How can I learn more about composting’
A: Several EPA publications are available free to tt
public. The Environnrntal Consun r’s Handbook
describes how to set up a badcyard compost pile. The
Decision-Maker’s Guide to Solid Waste Managen nt ,
which is targeted at local govenrn nt decision
makers, contains information on con osting and
other solid waste rr inagernent issues at the
comniinity level. These and other publications can
be obtained by calling EPA’s RCRA HoUine Monday
tirough Friday, 8:30 am to 7:30 pm EST: call toll
free (800) 424-9346 or, for the hearing impoired,
(800) 553-7672.

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