State Agencies Concerned About Open Burning

Des Moines -- Cautions against open burning this spring were issued today by the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Public Health because of risks to persons with respiratory disease and concerns about toxic substances.

Smoke from open burning can irritate the conditions of some people with asthma, said an official with the Iowa Department of Public Health. “Since lung problems such as asthma are common,” said Dr. Thomas Boo, a federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention epidemiologist assigned to the state public health department, “open burning is a public health concern.”

“Smoke contains microscopic soot particles that can damage lung tissue, send asthmatics to hospitals and create odor and haze nuisances,” said Brian Button, air information specialist with the DNR. Smoke can create local air pollution levels much higher than all auto and industrial emissions combined.

Button urged people to first consider cleaner, safer disposal options such as composting, mulching, recycling or municipal waste disposal instead of burning.

He said several communities have recently enacted bans on garbage and leaf burning due to health concerns.

Iowans can learn more about air quality at www.iowacleanair.com and asthma at www.idph.state.ia.us/hppab