With the progress that has been made in waste removal, there is no longer a need to burn trash for waste removal. Most if not all cities have ordinances (laws) governing the burning of trash. That same “convenience” or way of life is not so subtle in rural communities and third world countries. There was a time when my family moved to an unincorporated part of Tarrant county. This was back in 1984, we didn’t have any city services since we didn’t provide the city any type of revenue. We didn’t provide any revenue because the city did not annex our neighborhood. The way we would get rid of trash was to burn it in a barrel. That same practice is continuing today in other parts of the world. It has harmful effects on humans in terms of the emission of dioxins. Dioxins are a group of 30 highly toxic chlorinated organic chemicals. The largest quantified source of dioxin emissions is the uncontrolled burning of household trash (backyard burning). Dioxins are not the only pollutants that are emitted into the environment during backyard burning. The other contaminants are particle pollution, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, hexachlorobenzene and ash. With all these chemicals being released, one would think there is a high correlation with the air quality. There is a correlation, because the nitrogen oxides (NOx) are responsible for acid rain, and contribute to global warming. Burning garbage in a barrel or pile produces more carbon monoxide (CO), that decomposition in a landfill.
While that burning campfire brings us such a romantic and intrinsic feeling. As it should since the carbons that are being emitted into the air are inhaled into our lungs. According to Lemieux, Lutes & Santoianni (2004), open burning is much more harmful than enclosed burning. Open burning are released and generally remain at ground level, while the smoke stacks release the smoke hundreds of feet in the air. This helps in the dispersion of the smokes.
http://www.epa.gov/wastes/nonhaz/municipal/backyard/health.htm
http://www.epa.gov/wastes/nonhaz/municipal/backyard/env.htm
Lemieux, P.M., Lutes, C.C., & Santoianni, D.A. (2004). Progress in Energy and Combustion Science. Emissions of organic air toxics from open burning: a comprehensive review. 30(1), 1-32. doi: 10.1016/j.pecs.2003.08.001
5 users commented in " Effect of Burning Trash on Air Quality "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackI had idea burning garbage was so bad for the air.
Sadly I have noticed more garbage burning (residential and commercial) in the last few years. This most likely related to the economy and people trying to save money on trash removal.
While a weak economy may help air quality in some ways such as less people driving to work and less factory output, saving money by burning garbage appears to be offsetting those improvements to some degree.
Responding to Kevin, I don’t think private burning of rubbish is a large problem at the moment. But with refuge collection costs bound to rise, and limitations on the amount of garbage being implemented in all probability, fly-tipping and burning of garbage could become a very big problem in the next 10-20 years.
I think hiring a junk removal company instead of burning trash is more reasonable. They know exactly what to do with the garbage. They recycle and donate to keep most stuff out of the landfill too!
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