Risks are a part of our daily life. Most of the time, we're good at recognizing and avoiding them. However, sometimes we can go for years without noticing dangers right under our noses.
I was reminded of this recently when I met with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (PCA) officials to discuss the environmental and human health risks of backyard garbage burning. Before you ask what this has to do with agriculture, consider these facts:
- Backyard burning releases toxic substances that can harm people and the environment.
- Nearly 45 percent of rural Minnesotans burn household waste, according to a recent survey.
- Backyard burning is considered America's largest uncontrolled source of dioxins, a nasty group of pollutants linked to cancer.
Many people who burn garbage in burn barrels have been doing it for years and do not realize the consequences for their family and the environment. Burning garbage is more harmful than burning leaves or other yard waste because today's household garbage contains a lot of plastics and other artificial products that release dioxins and other toxic materials like lead and arsenic when burned.
You might ask how a single burn barrel can make a difference compared to a huge waste incinerator in town. Surprisingly, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates one burn barrel produces as much dioxin as a full-scale municipal waste incinerator burning 200 tons per day. One reason is burn barrels burn at much lower temperatures and they produce a lot of smoke. They also lack modern pollution control devices that have helped greatly reduce toxic emissions from large incineration facilities.
In many parts of the state, backyard garbage burning is already banned. Where it is not, the state is hoping to persuade people to choose less harmful disposal options. Of course, people will still be able to burn yard waste assuming they are following local requirements, but the goal is to eliminate backyard garbage burning by 2010. Step one is informing people about the risks.
I have always claimed that farmers and rural landowners are the most dedicated conservationists around. Give them the information and the tools, and they will do the right thing. That's why I am confident that as more people learn about the problems of backyard garbage burning, they will stop this unnecessary practice. Think of those few extra dollars you may spend on garbage collection as an investment in your family's health and your community's environment.
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(Gene Hugoson is the Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture)
