| 7/24/2009 1:17:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article | Burn barrels release a number of toxins into the air
Sharlene Myers
Bay Mills News
BAY MILLS - No local ordinances regulate the use of burn barrels in either Bay Mills or Superior Townships. Under Michigan law, open burning of waste from one- and two-family homes is permitted if the burning does not violate any other department rules and if local law or regulation does not prohibit it.
It may be legal to burn trash in our area, but it can be lethal.
Smoke from burning household waste in the low temperature fires of burn barrels produces many toxic substances, according to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Air Quality Division. Even the ash that remains contains concentrated amounts of toxic materials that can blow into the air or seep into the soil and groundwater.
Bleached paper products, lightweight white cardboard and plastics contain chlorine, which create dioxin when burned. Exposure to dioxin is associated with cancer, birth defects and altered immune function.
Burning slick colored papers and cardboard printed with synthetic inks releases heavy metals into the air. The absorption of heavy metals by humans has been linked to cancer and birth defects.
The burning of polystrene polymers such as foam cups and egg cartons releases styrene, which is absorbed through the skin and lungs. Long-term exposure can affect the central nervous system, causing headaches, weakness and depression.
Small children, pregnant women, elders and people with respiratory ailments are especially affected. Also at risk is our clean land and water.
Pollutants released from burning waste are transported through the air and come to ground. Some of these pollutants, such as mercury and dioxins, persist for a long time and build up in the food chain. Along with wildlife, humans can be exposed to these toxins through contaminated water and food, especially through eating contaminated fish.
Finally, at risk are good relations with your neighbors. Smoke from burn barrels is released close to the ground and can easily drift onto a neighbor's property. An anonymous source told Bay Mills News that five different neighbors complained to her about the stench of another neighbor's burn barrel. "What is this doing to our lungs and Waishkey Bay?" she asked.
In a study completed in 1998, the EPA estimated that 40 percent of people in rural areas burn their waste and 63 percent of those do so in burn barrels. Several years ago, Bay Mills Township residents requested an ordinance regulating burn barrels be created but no action was taken by the board, other than providing informational brochures at the Town Hall.
In the absence of regulations, there are better trash disposal options available than burning. Fortunately, both townships and Bay Mills Indian Community have recycling bins available to residents. Unfortunately, some people are abusing this service by illegally dumping garbage bags filled with all manner of household waste in the bins.
Also available a short drive away to Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County Recycling Center takes anything plastic as well as corrugated cardboard - items not accepted in local recycling stations. Three times a year, the center also holds a free household hazardous waste collection; the next one is scheduled for Sept. 19.
As a first step in preventing the burning of trash, we can all try to make less garbage. When shopping, select products with the least packaging and in re-useable containers, and compost plant-based kitchen and yard waste.
But no matter how diligent we are, there will still be some items that cannot be recycled or composted - one of these being "grey board," such as cereal boxes. There are two sanitation pickup services in our community; check the yellow pages. Also, household waste placed in low-cost green bags available at either Bay Mart or Advanced Office Technologies can be brought to the BMIC garbage disposal across from Kings Club Casino.
Although garbage collected by sanitation services is often burned, the smoke from a burn barrel is much dirtier. According to DEQ, a burn barrel emits 10,000 times more dioxin than waste combustors and 1,000 times more furans, per pound of garbage.
Burning trash does not make it disappear; it comes back in a deadlier form. Think of other options before firing up your burn barrel, remembering that the entire community shares the same air and water.
For more information, call DEQ's Environmental Assistance Center at 1-800-662-9278 or visit their website at www.michigan.gov/deqair.
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