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Public Health Solutions
District Health Department
995 East Hwy 33, Ste 1
Crete, NE 68333-2562
888.310.0565
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Dangerous Pollution from 'Backyard Burn Barrels'
Below is a list of common air pollutants coming out of a backyard burn barrel, and the health problems they cause:
| Pollutant |
Materials that can produce the pollutant when burned |
Health problems that can result from exposure to these chemicals |
| Dioxin |
Paper, plastics, treated wood, Styrofoam, paint, varnish, siding, flooring |
Cancer, reproductive problems, |
| Furan |
Styrofoam, electrical wire insulation, plastics |
Respiratory problems |
| Arsenic |
Treated wood |
Cancer |
| Styrene |
Tires, building insulation, |
Cancer (potential), respiratory problems, eye-noes-throat irritation |
| Mercury |
Batteries, tires, electronics |
Brain damage, eye-nose-throat-skin damage, |
| Formaldehyde |
Treated wood, nylon/wool/cotton (upholstery, clothing, stuffed animals) |
Cancer, respiratory and eye problems |
| Hydrochloric acid |
Vinyl, plastics, PVC piping, furnituture, toys |
Respiratory system and eye damage |
| Lead |
Batteries, rubberized material (tires, shoes), paint, varnish, electronics |
Brain and organ damage |
| Asbestos |
Roofing materials, floor tile |
Lung cancer |
| Cadmium |
Plastics (including diapers), oil filters, electronics, furniture, toys, PVC pipes |
Cancer |
| Chromium |
Plastics (including diapers), oil filters, tires, treated wood |
Cancer |
| Benzene |
Styrofoam, tires, paint, varnish, cleaning supplies, toys, furniture, PVC pipes |
Cancer, respiratory problems, headaches, nausea |
| Carbon monoxide |
Clean wood, leaves, newspaper, rubberized materials (shoes), |
Respiratory problems, asphyxiation (death), |
| Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAC) |
Wood, oil, coal |
Cancer (potential) |
This is NOT a complete list!
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