Burning trash is problem in county
By Staff
Melissa Cason
PHIL CAMPBELL – Burning trash has become a problem for the quiet community of Phil Campbell.
Fire Chief Mike Rice said the problem is residents are burning their trash and other hazardous materials in the area, which could cause health problems.
"The problem is a lot of people don't realize burning anything but brush is illegal," Rice said. "We need educate our public to know that burning items is not only illegal but could be hazardous to their health."
According to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, the only thing that can be burned legally is vegetation and untreated wood.
"Brush should be the only things burned in order to maintain property," Rice said.
Rice said it is common for him to get a report of someone burning trash in his coverage area.
"Another part of the problem is some law enforcement officials don't know that it's illegal to burn trash," Rice said. "I asked one of our officers to go with me to ask someone to stop burning their trash, and he said he didn't know if it was illegal. I had to provide him with paperwork from ADEM to show him it was illegal to burn trash."
When he finally produced the paperwork, items found at the burn site included plastic coolers, fiberglass camper shell, car tires, oil jugs, and aerosol cans, all of which are against the law.
Rice said burning materials such as these pollutes the air and can cause health problems.
"Plastic is especially dangerous," Rice said. "Plastic puts off a smoke that can literally kill you. It blocks the blood cells from carrying oxygen throughout the body causing serious problems."
Rice said he has experienced illness due to breathing in this kind of smoke.
"I was at a fire, and didn't realize the danger. I felt fine," Rice said. "After I got back to the station, I started feeling funny, and asked for help from paramedics across the street. My heart was racing, and my oxygen level was low.'
Rice said it's important that everyone in the area know the dangers of burning trash, and know it's against the law.
According to ADEM, burning anything but vegetation and untreated wood carries a maximum fine of $25,000 per day.
