Burning waste materials like mattresses and plastic can release harmful chemicals and cause serious health and environmental problems. Here’s what you need to know:
Health Effects
Toxic emissions from burning synthetic materials can cause cancer, respiratory issues, and prolonged exposure can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Inhaling or absorbing even small amounts of some emissions can result in serious, or even fatal health effects including skin and eye irritations/burns, breathing difficulties, birth defects and cancer
Legal Considerations
Under a DOF burn permit, only paper, cardboard, or untreated wood can be burned. Burning household or construction garbage containing plastics, foam, fiberglass, mattresses, clothes, plastic pipes, paints, chemicals, animal waste, oil, tires, and other items that produce black, toxic, or obnoxious smoke is illegal.
Always seek alternative methods such as reducing, reusing, recycling, or disposing of waste at approved facilities.
Environmental Impact
Smoke and particles from burning waste pollute the air, and toxic residue contaminates the soil, affecting wildlife, plants, and ecosystems.
Manmade items can burn much hotter and longer than just untreated wood and paper products, increasing the risk of uncontrolled wildfires, especially in dry and/or windy conditions.
Burning waste is harmful to your health and the environment. Choose safer, legal disposal methods to protect yourself and your community.
For more info, visit the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection’s website at: Forestry.Alaska.Gov/Burn
Categories: AK Fire Info, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF)
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 