Exercise caution, remember rules when burning household items
Wednesday September 3, 2014
Griffith City Council is issuing a reminder to residents to exercise caution and be mindful of the rules and restrictions when burning household items.
Household items may contain materials that create dangerous chemicals when burnt, such as dioxins, benzene, PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and other compounds that are known to cause respiratory ailments, burning eyes, headaches, nausea, fatigue and dizziness. These risks are increased the closer a person is to the source of the burn.
``We also ask residents to take into consideration factors such as the potential for smoke impacting other people due to wind direction and weather conditions, the length of time items burn, ensuring materials being burnt are not wet, and any possible effects on human health and the environment the burning can cause,’' said Fiona de Wit, Environment, Health & Sustainability Coordinator with Council. ``People also need to be aware of any current fire bans and permit requirements from the NSW Fire Service and NSW Rural Fire Service before they burn items,’’ Mrs de Wit added.
NSW residents are prohibited from burning tyres, coated wire, paint/solvent containers and residues and timber treated with copper chromium arsenate or pentachlorophenol, according to the Protection of the Environment Operations (Control of Burning) Regulation 2010.
Residents are also reminded that an authorised officer of a local authority or the EPA can issue directions to extinguish or ban lighting a fire if it is prohibited by an order of the EPA under section 133 of the POEO Act, or if air pollution from the fire is injurious to the health of any person or is causing or likely to cause serious discomfort or inconvenience to any person.
If you have questions or would like further information about the rules and restrictions associated with burning household items, visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au and www.environment.nsw.gov.au or contact Griffith City Council on 6962 8100.
