LEAF BURNING CAN CHOKE YOU UP
“Are the Stars out Tonight ?…I don't know if it's Cloudy or Bright….'Cause I only have Eyes for You”….And so the song goes.
But, it could be that the reason you cannot see is because of SMOKE CAUSED BY SOMEONE BURNING LEAVES. How often have you been
driving or riding somewhere and all of a sudden your vehicle floats
through a SMOKY HAZE that has drifted across the road? Your nostrils
are accosted by an all too familiar smell, and for some, this odiferous
happening TRIGGERS COUGHING, WHEEZING, AND POSSIBILY A SEVERE SINUS HEADACHE. For those with pre-existing respiratory problems, they may
become unable to breathe.
What may have been a nostalgic remembrance of childhood or a hayride
evening, has now become know as one of the major sources of
HARMFUL DIOXINS. These substances are highly toxic,
long-lasting organic compounds. DIOXINS can find their way
into the human food chain. Particulate matter can become part of
plants that animals eat and that humans in turn consume. We store
the dioxins in our fat cells after we eat dairy or meat or chicken
produce that has been tainted. Developmental problems or
reproductive disorders can result for some.
Smoke from burning leaves, grass, brush, and most plants contain high
concentrations of pollutants, such as CARBON MONOXIDE particulate
matter (soot), toxic chemicals, and reactive gasses that can contribute
to smog formation. The smoke can be an immediate health concern
for some people. POLLUTION LEVELS IN ADJACENT BURN AREAS CAN
EXCEED HUMAN HEALTH STANDARDS.
What's in Leaf Smoke?
CARBON MONOXIDE BINDS WITH THE HEMOGLOBIN IN THE BLOODSTREAM TO REDUCE
OXYGEN FLOW. Carbon monoxide can be dangerous for young children,
smokers, the elderly, and people with chronic heart or lung disease.
PARTICULATE MATTER refers to microscopic soot particles. Too small to
be seen individually with the unaided eye, dense concentrations are
visible as smoke. These particles are less than 2.5 microns in size —
roughly the thickness of a human red blood cell. THEY CAN BECOME
EMBEDDED IN LUNG TISSUE AND ARE KNOWN TO CONTRIBUTE TO PREMATURE DEATH
as well as affect persons with heart conditions and trigger asthmatic
reactions for some people.
The hazardous chemical BENZAPYRENE is known to cause cancer in
animals and is believed to be a factor in lung cancer caused by
smoking. IT IS PRESENT IN LEAF SMOKE.
PLEASE LEARN NOT TO BURN. COMPOSTING, MULCHING, AND BAGGING ARE CLEANER OPTIONS.
Much of this information comes directly from the IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES web site: http://www.iowadnr.com
There is a 13-page booklet of information from the AMERICAN LUNG
ASSOCIATION found under “Leaf Burning Effects, Alternatives, and Bans”
at the IOWA DNR web site that you should print and distribute to those
in your family and school or neighborhood. There is much valuable
information here, so please share it. It has good advice for all
year round and for everyone with a lung. You can help. You
can do it. Make your community a better place to live and
breathe.
As always, CPR: CONSERVE/PARTICIPATE/RECYCLE
Blog For Iowa 
Our small town of Humboldt is facing this issue. The city council is trying to ban the burning, but citizens are protesting. It's headlined the local newspaper a few times.
http://www.humboldtnews.com/news/2005/0210/Front_page/0103.html
http://www.humboldtnews.com/news/2005/0120/Front_page/0102.html
http://www.humboldtnews.com/news/2005/0224/Front_page/0102.html
I think composting is a much better alternative, though I don't think our town adequately meets this option.
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