MPLICATIONS OF OPEN BURNING OF GARBAGE AT WASTE DISPOSAL GROUNDS

The main concerns with the open burning of garbage at waste disposal grounds relate to the potential effects on human health and the environment. The following summarizes the main concerns, namely the release of air pollutants, the health risks to people on and off the site, and the potential environment effects due to the smoke and ash.

Contaminants Released from the Open Burning of Garbage

• Open burning is an inefficient combustion process and releases significant amounts of air pollutants and ash, and dense white or black smoke.
• During calm or inversion conditions, the levels of the pollutants are higher because of their reduced dispersion in the atmosphere. At other times, the area affected by the smoke cannot be predicted because of the variability in the wind direction and wind speed.
• The air contaminants released depend on the material being burned and the conditions of the fire. The smoke may include aldehydes, acids, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins, furans, other organics and volatilised heavy metals. For example, treated wood wastes may release arsenic, PVC plastics may release hydrogen chloride, wood painted with lead-based paints may release lead, etc.
• The ash from the waste may be contaminated with toxic chemicals such as dioxins and furans, PAH’s, heavy metals, and other potentially carcinogenic compounds. Some of the ash will be carried off into the atmosphere with the smoke plume, while the rest will remain behind after the fire has been extinguished.

Health Effects of Open Burning of Garbage

• The greatest health risk from the open burning of garbage at a waste disposal ground would be to those closest to the fire who may inhale the smoke. Other individuals on-site and off-site may also be affected, depending on factors such as the distance to the fire, exposure duration, amount and type of material burned, individual sensitivity, etc.
• The pollutants are all toxic to humans, depending on their concentration, and may cause irritation, skin and respiratory problems; some are carcinogenic. Those individuals with respiratory problems such as asthma or with allergies may be even more sensitive to the smoke.

Environmental Effects of Open Burning of Garbage

• The smoke from open burning may be a major source of complaints from the public because of its odour and its effects on visibility.
• The smoke from waste disposal ground fires may reduce visibility on local roads. This has the potential to cause traffic accidents.
• The ash, which may be dispersed by the wind or leached by water, may contain toxic contaminants.
• Toxins may be leached from any ash remaining which could lead to the contamination of surface water or ground water.
• There is always a risk of the fire burning out of control.
• Across the province, the total pollutant contributions from the open burning at waste disposal grounds, if allowed, would have an effect, although small, on the global environment

Manitoba Waste Disposal Grounds Regulation (Reg. 150/91) states that "the operator of a waste disposal ground shall ensure that no burning takes place unless otherwise specified in the operating permit". Currently, licences and permits for some waste disposal grounds do allow burning of selected combustible materials only (e.g., branches, loose straw, etc.) within the confines of a bermed area at the waste disposal grounds.

Other terms and conditions are also placed on the burning of these materials (e.g., weather conditions, supervision, record keeping, etc.). Based on the large number of complaints routinely received in the past, Manitoba Environment’s experience is that the public does not want open burning of garbage to occur at waste disposal grounds.

Based on the concerns noted, only the open burning of selected combustible materials (e.g., branches, loose straw, etc.) at waste disposal grounds may be permitted by Manitoba Environment. The open burning of garbage is not permitted.

It is recognized that the delivery of this open burning policy by local administrators would be difficult if the policy were not uniformly applied on a province-wide basis. Consequently, exemptions for remote waste disposal grounds cannot be granted.

More detailed technical information on the burning of garbage at waste disposal grounds is available, upon request.