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| Grant Township, Cheboygan County, Michigan www.granttwp.com |
| Burn Barrels Will Become Illegal Beginning April 1, 2011 |
Currently, Michigan open burning rules allow the burning of
household waste from a one or two family dwelling. However, that
will soon change. The DNRE is updating its open burning rules to
eliminate the current exemption that allows the burning of
household trash. The change will take effect on April 1, 2011.
The current provisions that allow the burning of household trash were added more than 30
years ago when the make-up of our trash was much different, as was the availability of waste
disposal services. Along with an increased volume of household trash, composition of the
waste now includes treated paper, plastics, foam, metals and other man-made materials.
Open burning this type of trash emits contaminants that can have both long-and short-term
health effects on exposed people, especially those with cardiovascular and respiratory
conditions such as asthma. Over the last decade, numerous studies have demonstrated that
the fine particulate matter created from burning is far more hazardous to people's health
than previously known.
household waste from a one or two family dwelling. However, that
will soon change. The DNRE is updating its open burning rules to
eliminate the current exemption that allows the burning of
household trash. The change will take effect on April 1, 2011.
The current provisions that allow the burning of household trash were added more than 30
years ago when the make-up of our trash was much different, as was the availability of waste
disposal services. Along with an increased volume of household trash, composition of the
waste now includes treated paper, plastics, foam, metals and other man-made materials.
Open burning this type of trash emits contaminants that can have both long-and short-term
health effects on exposed people, especially those with cardiovascular and respiratory
conditions such as asthma. Over the last decade, numerous studies have demonstrated that
the fine particulate matter created from burning is far more hazardous to people's health
than previously known.
Trash burning can also cause a significant number of wildfires and property fires through the state, and generate numerous smoke
and odor complaints. Michigan is not the first to update its regulations. In fact, Michigan is the ONLY state in the Great lakes region
that does not prohibit or restrict trash burning. Nationally, 40 states restrict or prohibit the activity under rule or statue.
It is important for residents to know that the DNRE does not intend to actively target residents for enforcement of this rule, but rather
will implement the changes through education and outreach in coordination with local units of government. The immediate concern of
the DNRE is protecting the health of those adversely affected by trash burning. It is expected that any necessary enforcement will be
complaint driven and conducted by the local units of government or the DNRE, as needed.
Beyond burn barrels, many other types of outdoor burning will still be allowed, The following regulations address these other types of
burns.
Burn Permits. The forest fire regulations require that a burn permit be obtained prior to conducting any burning outside of a burn
barrel when the ground is not snow covered. In Northern Michigan, burn permits are issued by the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources and Environment. (DNRE) Information about burn permits and where they can be obtained can be found at the DNRE's
burn permit website, www.michigan.gov/burnpermit.
Trees, logs, brush and stumps. Air and waste regulations allow the open burning of trees, logs, brush and stumps as long as the
burning occurs at least 1,400 feet outside the limits of an incorporated city or village. There are some other areas that the DNRE
considers "priority areas" where burning this material is not allowed. A list of these priority areas is available at
www.michigan.gov/openburning; click on "Michigan Open Burning Laws and Rules."
Leaves and grass clippings. Open burning of leaves and grass clippings is prohibited in municipalities with a population over 7,500,
unless a local ordinance specifically allows the practice. In such cases, the local government must submit the ordinance to the DNRE.
Recreational fires. (campfires) Recreational fires are allowed.
Outdoor wood-fired furnaces. (also known as outdoor wood-fired boilers or hydronic heaters) Outdoor wood fired burners (OWFs)
are a common source of air pollution in townships throughout the state. Improperly designed, installed and operated OWFs can lead
to excessive emissions and adversely affect the air quality and health of nearby residents. These problems can intensify f the stack
is not high enough to allow for adequate dispersion of the pollutants, or if the unit is not designed properly.
Currently, the DNRE does not regulate residential OWFs and typically defers complaints to the local unit if government. Commercial
OWFs may require an air permit from the DNRE. Resident and commercial units normally require a mechanical permit.
and odor complaints. Michigan is not the first to update its regulations. In fact, Michigan is the ONLY state in the Great lakes region
that does not prohibit or restrict trash burning. Nationally, 40 states restrict or prohibit the activity under rule or statue.
It is important for residents to know that the DNRE does not intend to actively target residents for enforcement of this rule, but rather
will implement the changes through education and outreach in coordination with local units of government. The immediate concern of
the DNRE is protecting the health of those adversely affected by trash burning. It is expected that any necessary enforcement will be
complaint driven and conducted by the local units of government or the DNRE, as needed.
Beyond burn barrels, many other types of outdoor burning will still be allowed, The following regulations address these other types of
burns.
Burn Permits. The forest fire regulations require that a burn permit be obtained prior to conducting any burning outside of a burn
barrel when the ground is not snow covered. In Northern Michigan, burn permits are issued by the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources and Environment. (DNRE) Information about burn permits and where they can be obtained can be found at the DNRE's
burn permit website, www.michigan.gov/burnpermit.
Trees, logs, brush and stumps. Air and waste regulations allow the open burning of trees, logs, brush and stumps as long as the
burning occurs at least 1,400 feet outside the limits of an incorporated city or village. There are some other areas that the DNRE
considers "priority areas" where burning this material is not allowed. A list of these priority areas is available at
www.michigan.gov/openburning; click on "Michigan Open Burning Laws and Rules."
Leaves and grass clippings. Open burning of leaves and grass clippings is prohibited in municipalities with a population over 7,500,
unless a local ordinance specifically allows the practice. In such cases, the local government must submit the ordinance to the DNRE.
Recreational fires. (campfires) Recreational fires are allowed.
Outdoor wood-fired furnaces. (also known as outdoor wood-fired boilers or hydronic heaters) Outdoor wood fired burners (OWFs)
are a common source of air pollution in townships throughout the state. Improperly designed, installed and operated OWFs can lead
to excessive emissions and adversely affect the air quality and health of nearby residents. These problems can intensify f the stack
is not high enough to allow for adequate dispersion of the pollutants, or if the unit is not designed properly.
Currently, the DNRE does not regulate residential OWFs and typically defers complaints to the local unit if government. Commercial
OWFs may require an air permit from the DNRE. Resident and commercial units normally require a mechanical permit.
| Health Risks of Burning Trash |
Chemicals from the burning of household trash may include hydrogen cyanide, sulfer dioxides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,
benzene, lead, mercury and dioxin. The fine particulate matter, containing a variety of chemicals, can have acute and chronic
health effects on exposed people, including cardiovascular and respiratory conditions (e.g., asthma) Long-term and repeated
exposure to some of the chemicals emitted during trash burning have been shown to impair: neurodevelopment in children; the
immune system; reproductive system and thyroid function. Some pollutants have been shown to contribute to the onset of
diabetes and cancer.
Many of these pollutants emitted can persist in the environment, resulting in future exposure to both people and wildlife. People
conducting open burning of household trash as their main method of disposal will frequently be exposed to these hazardous
substances. People living in the surrounding area (i.e. neighbors within several hundred feet) will also be frequently exposed to
these hazardous substances.
benzene, lead, mercury and dioxin. The fine particulate matter, containing a variety of chemicals, can have acute and chronic
health effects on exposed people, including cardiovascular and respiratory conditions (e.g., asthma) Long-term and repeated
exposure to some of the chemicals emitted during trash burning have been shown to impair: neurodevelopment in children; the
immune system; reproductive system and thyroid function. Some pollutants have been shown to contribute to the onset of
diabetes and cancer.
Many of these pollutants emitted can persist in the environment, resulting in future exposure to both people and wildlife. People
conducting open burning of household trash as their main method of disposal will frequently be exposed to these hazardous
substances. People living in the surrounding area (i.e. neighbors within several hundred feet) will also be frequently exposed to
these hazardous substances.
| For more information on burning, go to www.michigan.gov/openburning. You can also call 800-662-9278. |
This article has been reprinted in part from "Michigan Township News", the official publication of the Michigan Townships Association.
The article was written by Jim Ostrowski, Environmental quality Analyst, Office of Pollution Prevention and Compliance Assistance, Michigan
Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Lansing.
The article was written by Jim Ostrowski, Environmental quality Analyst, Office of Pollution Prevention and Compliance Assistance, Michigan
Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Lansing.