Originally published February 26 2006
EPA answers questions on residential leaf burning and offers alternative
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that the products of burned leaves include particulate matter and carbon monoxide, both of which could have a negative effect on public health. Compost heaps are a better alternative.
A: leaf burning leads to air pollution, health problems, and fire hazards.
In the past, people routinely took leaves and other yard trimmings to landfills or relied on waste pick-up services for disposal of the leaves.
Because of increasingly scarce landfill space, many State and local governments now ban leaves and other yard trimmings from landfills.
With this option removed, there is a growing concern that homeowners may be tempted to burn the leaves in their yards.
A: The open burning of leaves produces particulate matter and hydrocarbons, which contain a number of toxic, irritant, and carcinogenic (cancer-causing) compounds.
Breathing particulate matter can increase the chances of respiratory infection, reduce the volume of air inhaled and impair the lungs' ability to use that air.
Because leaves are often moist and burn without proper air circulation, they often burn poorly, producing high levels of hydrocarbons.
Q: What is carbon monoxide and what are its health effects?
These costs include: (1) higher incidences of health problems and increased health care costs; (2) higher incidences of home and forest fires and associated property loss and need for increased fire protection; and (3) the clean-up costs associated with soiling of personal property.
Composting is a simple process that involves placing yard trimmings and other organic materials in a pile or bin, maintaining adequate moisture, and turning the pile periodically to mix in air.
Microorganisms gradually break down the yard trimmings into a humus-like product called compost.
Community-wide programs are already in place in over 2,200 communities in the United States.
It can be used as a mulch in flowerbeds and around shrubs, or it can be added to the garden or to potting soils as a soil conditioner.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml