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Department of Ecology News Release - May 9, 2001
01-075
SPOKANE - Burning approximately 65 tons of polystyrene and other materials on his property in Moses Lake has netted Franklin Sharp a $25,000 fine.
The state Department of Ecology (Ecology) issued the penalty this week because smoke from the fire endangered the health of Sharp's neighbors. In addition, Washington state law prohibits burning anything other than natural vegetation.
On Feb. 23, 1999, and again on Oct. 4 and Oct. 19 of that year, personnel from the Grant Co. Building Department notified Ecology that they had received reports of StyrofoamÔ being burned on Sharp's property.
The largest fire was on Oct. 18, when approximately 38 firefighters and 15 pieces of fire-fighting equipment were called to the scene, where flames were reportedly higher than the surrounding poplar trees. An estimated 130,000 pounds of polystyrene and a large, adjacent stack of hay went up in flames.
"We are very concerned any time someone burns materials that cause extremely toxic emissions," said Grant Pfeifer of Ecology's Spokane office. "Burning polystyrene is especially objectionable, and the smoke posed a serious health threat to nearby neighbors. There's a good reason why it is illegal to burn these items."
According to Pfeifer, polystyrene fires can contain cancer-causing chemicals such as benzene and formaldehyde, plus various poly-aromatic hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide, said Pfeifer.
A subsequent investigation revealed that other prohibited materials were burned at the site as well, including construction debris, old insulation, dead animals and garbage.
All residential, outdoor burning in Moses Lake and many other "urban growth" areas in Washington state has been illegal since Jan. 1, 2001.
Sharp may appeal his fine to the state's Pollution Control Hearings Board within 30 days or file an "application for relief" with Ecology within 15 days.
Contact: Jani Gilbert, public information manager, 509-456-4464; pager, 509-622-1289
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
