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Department of Ecology News Release - April 8, 2002
02-051
YAKIMA - Many people don't know it, but burning garbage has been outlawed in Washington for nearly 30 years.
In fact, if you are going to burn anything, you can only burn natural vegetation. And that's only OK if you don't let the smoke bother your neighbors and you follow local permitting regulations. In urban areas, outdoor burning is banned altogether.
Burn barrels were banned for all parts of Washington state in 2000. In an effort to inform people about this requirement, the Washington State Department of Ecology has begun airing a series of public service announcements on local radio stations in Eastern Washington.
The messages are designed to remind people about the health problems that can occur from the toxic chemicals released when a burn barrel is ignited.
Cancer, birth defects, learning disabilities and asthma are a few of the health problems associated with burning garbage in a barrel. More information is available on the Web at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0202001.html.
You can learn about recycling or composting your garbage by calling 800-RECYCLE or visit http://1800recycle.wa.gov on the Web. Curbside recycling and recycle drop boxes are available in many communities. For more information and other garbage-disposal options, call your local solid-waste department.
Contacts: Joye Redfield-Wilder, public information manager, (509)
575-2610, or pager, (509) 574-0490
Jani Gilbert, public information manager, (509) 456-4464, or pager, (509)
622-1289
For more information: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/outdoor_woodsmoke/outdoor_burning.htm (Link updated 05/01/03)
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
