Burning trash in the open, in backyards, or in an open metal container called a "burn barrel" produces many toxic chemicals that are harmful to human health and the environment. These chemicals include carbon monoxide, dioxins, lead, mercury, particulate matter, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and ash. Any toxic chemicals and hazardous materials that can burn might be present in burning trash. 

The ash from burning trash can be hazardous to human health. It can contain chemicals and heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, dioxins, furans, lead, mercury, and PCBs. These chemicals can seep from the ash into surface water, groundwater, and food grown in ash-contaminated soil. 

Burning trash in burn barrels emits much more pollution than if the same amount of trash was burned in an industrial incinerator. Burning household trash is one of the largest known sources of dioxins in the country. Trash burning, including burning of autumn leaves, is banned or heavily regulated in many parts of the United States.

Web Links from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine)
Air Pollution

More Links
Air Defenders (Wisconsin Environmental Health Association)
Backyard Burning (Environmental Protection Agency)
Backyard Burning - Human Health (Environmental Protection Agency)
Hidden Hazards of Backyard Burning (Environmental Protection Agency)
Trash Burning (New Mexico Environmental Department, Air Quality Bureau)

Chemicals in Burning Trash
Are these chemicals in MY environment?
Acetone
Ammonia
Arsenic
Benzene
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Monoxide
Chlorine
Chromium
Dioxins
Lead
Mercury
Nitrogen Oxides
Particulate Matter
Pesticides
Phthalates
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Sulfur Dioxide
Toluene
Volatile Organic Compounds

Last Updated: December 09, 2008