You burn it, you breathe it

Department of Ecology News Release - May 20, 2003

03-093

You burn it, you breathe it

OLYMPIA - A generation ago, backyard burning was not as dangerous. Today, with so much plastic in our garbage, using a burn barrel puts your family's health at risk.

Many people don't know it, but burning garbage has been outlawed in Washington for 30 years. In fact, if you burn anything, you can only burn natural vegetation. And that's only alright 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 this week on local radio stations in Southwest 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 in a barrel. More information is available on the Web at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/outdoor_woodsmoke/burn_barrel.htm . If you have a burning-related complaint, you can contact your local clean air agency (in the phone book, go to the county listings and look under air pollution). Contact your local fire department if it is a weekend.

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.

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Media contact: Sandy Howard, public information manager, 360-407-6239

Note to news editors: For names and phone numbers of your county's solid waste and recycling coordinators, contact Sandy Howard at 360-407-6239.