Burning of Leaves Prohibited Statewide The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company reminds residents that the burning of leaves is prohibited within the State of Delaware. With autumn leaves beginning to fall, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s (DNREC) Division of Air Quality is reminding residents that burning leaves remains prohibited statewide. The leaf burning ban has been in effect since February 1995 and helps protect people from harmful chemicals that are produced by open burning. (See information illustrated below). In addition to the leaf burning ban, burning grass, refuse, trash or garbage is also prohibited year-round as well. . To report illegal burning, call (800) 662-8802. Additional information may be obtained by viewing the following web pages: (1) http://www.wgmd.com/?p=37969 (2) ttp://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/burn/leafburn2.html Residential Leaf Burning An Unhealthy Solution to Leaf Disposal Q: Why should I be concerned about leaf burning? A: leaf burning leads to air pollution, health problems, and fire hazards. Each autumn, homeowners across the United States rake up fallen leaves from their lawns. In the past, people routinely took leaves and other yard trimmings to landfills or relied on waste pick-up services for disposal of the leaves. Because of increasingly scarce landfill space, many State and local governments now ban leaves and other yard trimmings from landfills. With this option removed, there is a growing concern that homeowners may be tempted to burn the leaves in their yards. Q: What types of air pollutants are emitted from burning leaf piles? A: The open burning of leaves produces particulate matter and hydrocarbons, which contain a number of toxic, irritant, and carcinogenic (cancer-causing) compounds. Leaf smoke also contains carbon monoxide. Q: What is particulate matter and why is it a health concern? A: The visible smoke from leaf burning is composed of tiny particles that contain a number of pollutants. If inhaled, these microscopic particles can reach the deepest regions of the lung and remain there for months or even years. Breathing particulate matter can increase the chances of respiratory infection, reduce the volume of air inhaled and impair the lungs' ability to use that air. Particulate matter can also trigger asthma attacks in some people. Q: What are hydrocarbons and why are they harmful? A: Hydrocarbons are chemicals that can exist as both gases and solid particles. Because leaves are often moist and burn without proper air circulation, they often burn poorly, producing high levels of hydrocarbons. Some of these hydrocarbons, such as aldehydes and ketones, cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. A substantial portion of the hydrocarbons in leaf smoke consists of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, some of which are known carcinogens. Q: What is carbon monoxide and what are its health effects? A: Carbon monoxide is an invisible gas that results from incomplete combustion, and burning leaf piles are ideal for creating carbon monoxide emissions. Carbon monoxide is absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs and combines with red blood cells. This reduces the amount of oxygen the red blood cells can absorb and supply to body tissues. Unborn children, newborn infants, smokers, the elderly, and persons with heart and chronic lung disease are more susceptible to carbon monoxide than the general population.