Burning household waste in burn barrels or open piles might be common in your

community. But the smoke fromthese fires contains dangerouschemicals that affect your healthand pollute our environment.Stopping backyard burning willhelp us all breathe easier.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO

PROTECT YOUR HEALTH AND

THE ENVIRONMENT

August 2003

EPA530-F-03-012

Washington, DC 20460

(5305W)

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.

Environmental Protection Agency

United States

Photograph courtesy of Tim Rudzik

The HiddenHazards ofBackyard Burning

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For more information on these steps you cantake, visit EPA's Municipal Solid Waste Web siteat <www.epa.gov/msw> and click on "Reduce,Reuse, and Recycle."

What You Can Do

• Reduce. You can reduce the amount of

waste you generate by using durable, longlasting goods and avoiding disposable items;buying products in bulk; and looking forproducts with less packaging. 

• Reuse. Reusing items is another way to

reduce the amount of waste you generate.Repair, sell, or donate used or unwanteditems or organize a neighborhood swapevent. One person's trash is another person's treasure!

• Compost. Composting is a great way to

dispose of yard trimmings and food scraps,while creating a natural, free fertilizer. Manycommunities offer weekend classes on howto compost, and some even provide composting bins at a reduced cost or show youhow to build your own. 

• Recycle. Contact your local government to

find out about curbside pick-up of recyclablematerials or drop-off locations. 

• Properly Dispose of Waste. Don't litter

or dump illegally. Use a waste collectionservice or take your waste to a transfer station, convenience center, or local landfill.Check with your local officials to learnabout collection service and drop-off sites inyour community.

Other Air PollutantsSmoke from burn barrels contains hazardous pollutantssuch as particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, lead, mercury,and hexachlorobenzene. These pollutants can haveimmediate and long-term health effects such as:

• Asthma, emphysema, or other respiratory 

illnesses.

• Nervous system, kidney, or liver damage.• Reproductive or developmental disorders.

Not only are the people who burn trash exposed tothese pollutants, but so are their families and neighbors.Children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions can be especially vulnerable.AshThe ash residue from backyard burning can containtoxic pollutants, such as mercury, lead, chromium, andarsenic, which can contaminate vegetables if scatteredin gardens. Children can accidentally swallow toxicmaterials from dirt on their hands while playing neardiscarded ash. 

Dioxin in the food chain