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New York ban on burning waste takes effect | LoHud.com | The Journal News
New York ban on burning waste takes effect
By Jon Campbell • Albany Bureau • October 15, 2009
The state Department of Environmental Conservation enacted a statewide ban Wednesday on burning trash, eliminating so-called burn barrels and open pits used to incinerate waste.
The ban is an effort to curb the amount of toxic chemicals released into the air, including dioxin, a carcinogen. Residents had been allowed to burn home waste only in towns and villages with a population less than 20,000.
“These regulations are long overdue,” said Laura Haight, senior environmental associate for the New York Public Interest Research Group.
“Smoke and fumes from outdoor garbage burning contaminate our air, water and food with dioxins and other toxic chemicals that can cause breathing difficulties such as asthma attacks.”
Open burning is also the leading cause of wildfires in the state, the DEC said.
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