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 ------- 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” ------- 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. ------- 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? ------- 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 ------- 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. ------- |