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Do you know the dangers from burning household waste near your
home? Today's trash contains plastics, metals, and synthetic materials that
create dangerous chemicals when burned. These chemicals include dioxins, benzene,
PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), and other compounds that are known to cause
respiratory ailments, stress human immune systems, and are potentially carcinogenic.
To protect community health, the Air Resources Board (ARB) approved
an Airborne Toxic Control
Measure (pdf 100Kb) (ATCM) to reduce air emissions of dioxins and other toxic substances
from outdoor residential waste burning statewide.
Beginning on January 1, 2004, no household trash or garbage
can be burned outdoors at residences. Dry, natural vegetation, grown on the
property, can still be burned outdoors in open piles, unless prohibited by local
controls. Burn barrels will not be allowed for burning waste, including vegetation,
at residences. During 2003 local air districts will determine if there are any
exemption areas, with extremely low population density, where dry, non-glossy
paper and cardboard can still be burned, and where burn barrels will be allowed
at residences.
Together with the affected air districts, we have put together
this site as a resource with which you can identify local contacts that can
help you find alternative waste disposal options in your community. Please select
your county and enter your zip code in the search box below to identify fire
departments, waste management providers, and air district contacts in your area.
Contact your local air district to determine the extent to which residential
burning is permitted in your area.
For more information, please contact Ms. Karen Magliano,
Manager, Particulate Matter Analysis Section at (916) 322–7137.
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