Almost 73% of the dioxins emitted to air in Ireland came from the uncontrolled, low temperature burning of waste. This makes backyard burning of waste the single biggest source of dioxins released into the Irish environment.

Backyard Burning - but it is what we have always done!…

If you are burning your waste at home, you need to STOP!
Many people in Ireland burn waste on their own property. The materials burned are varied and include paper, cardboard, textiles, timber, food, garden clippings, synthetics such as plastic and even glass, metal and household chemicals. This ‘backyard burning’, as it is known, is mistakenly seen as a cheap method of keeping waste out of already overflowing landfills and many presume that it is not harmful to the environment. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Practically all uncontrolled low temperature burning of waste releases toxic pollutants directly into the air without treatment or filtering. This is one of the major sources of some pollutants impacting on air quality in Ireland today.

Surely it doesn’t do any harm?…

If this is what you believe then you need to read on.
Uncontrolled, low temperature burning of municipal waste can impact on human health, food safety and the environment. In fact this uncontrolled “backyard burning” of municipal waste is far more damaging than previously thought.
Current research indicates that when municipal waste is burned, in piles in the open, in barrels or open pits, or in commercially available home incinerators, toxic pollutants are released into the air.

How bad can it really be?…

The amount of toxins released from uncontrolled low temperature burning in backyards depends on the composition of the waste being burned, the temperature of the fire and the supply of oxygen. The major problem with backyard burning is that it is rarely carried out at high enough temperatures to destroy toxic substances. Under calm weather conditions toxins released from this type of uncontrolled low temperature burning can remain at dangerous levels near the ground for a long time, causing high amounts of contamination at source. Below is a list of pollutants that can potentially be generated by uncontrolled low temperature burning:

• Dioxins and furans, some of which are classified as carcinogenic (i.e. they can cause cancer).
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can aggravate respiratory and heart illnesses and lead to kidney and liver damage. They also contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone (photochemical smog).
• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are generated when elements of municipal waste are not completely combusted. PAHs are known carcinogens.
• Carbon monoxide (CO), small amounts of which can cause nausea and headaches when inhaled. CO contributes to the formation of harmful low level ozone.
• Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), which has similar properties to dioxins as it is persistent and builds up in humans and the environment. At certain levels of exposure it may cause serious health problems such as cancer, kidney and liver damage.
• Nitrogen oxides (NOx), which contribute to acid rain and the formation of ground level ozone. Short term exposure to very high oncentrations of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) can result in adverse effects on the respiratory system.
• Microscopic particles, which can be small enough to get deep into our lungs. They are associated with health problems including bronchitis, asthma and heart attacks. People who already have respiratory or heart problems, the elderly and infants are most at risk when exposed to these particles. These particles are known to transport dioxins in the environment.
• Ash, which may contain mercury, lead and arsenic. These are toxic to humans and animals when consumed, causing heart problems, kidney and brain damage. If deposited in the garden, vegetables can accumulate them and they can then be passed onto humans when eaten.

But I Thought Dioxins only come from Incinerators? Wrong!

Dioxins and Furans are chemical compounds released during the combustion of most substances when chlorine is present, especially plastic and rubber but even ordinary paper and newspaper. When dioxins are released they decompose so slowly that they become persistent pollutants in the environment for many years. Once dioxins enter the environment or body, they persist due to their chemical stability and can accumulate in fat in animals and humans. Some dioxin compounds are toxic and exposure to high levels has been linked with chloracne (skin lesions). Also, a particular dioxin, TCDD, is recognised as being the most toxic and has been classified as a known human carcinogen (cancer causing).

Where exactly are dioxins coming from in Ireland?

• Dioxins in the Irish environment primarily result from incomplete combustion of wastes, and the main source of dioxins according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is from uncontrolled burning of domestic waste.
• The EPA estimated that 93g of dioxins were generated in Ireland in 2000. Of this, 73% of emissions were generated by uncontrolled combustion activities.
• The principal such activities are the domestic burning of waste (accounting for 58% of emissions) and accidental building fires (accounting for 11% of emissions).
• Dioxin emissions are projected to increase from 93g in 2000 to 110g in 2010. Uncontrolled combustion activities will continue to be the largest contributor of dioxins to the Irish environment – even if all of the planned municipal waste incinerators are constructed and operating.
• The construction and operation of incinerators for municipal and hazardous waste, as proposed in regional and national plans, are forecast to contribute 1.8% of projected dioxin emissions to air in 2010. Uncontrolled burning is projected to account for 84% of such emissions.
• The dioxins identified as being emitted from waste incineration and ending up in land are those dioxins contained in the ash arising from the burning of the waste.
• This ash can be treated and isolated from the general environment by deposit in secure landfill facilities.

So why are we building Incinerators?

• There is no comparison between uncontrolled, low temperature burning of waste and the controlled and regulated high-temperature conditions under which incinerators operate. 
• In fact, the dioxins emitted from the uncontrolled burning of one tonne of household waste (the average level of annual waste per household in Ireland) are 55 times greater than the dioxins emitted if the same tonne of waste was treated in a modern municipal waste incinerator.
• The temperature at which incinerators operate is a key factor distinguishing such facilities from uncontrolled backyard burning. 
• Modern municipal incinerators are designed to burn waste at temperatures in excess of 850°C and at these temperatures dioxins are destroyed. 
• In addition, modern incinerators have very efficient flue gas cleaning technology which means that most of the pollutants produced when waste is burned are not released to the atmosphere.
• In contrast, uncontrolled low temperature burning of waste occurs at a temperature of about 200 - 400°C, the temperature at which dioxins are formed. 
• All pollutants produced are then released directly into the environment with no treatment or filtering.

Incineration is not the full answer to our waste challenge. However, as part of an overall waste management strategy, as reflected in the EU Waste Hierarchy, incineration coupled with waste prevention, reduction, recycling and other treatment methods, has an important role to play.

In a report published in 2003, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland indicated that properly managed incineration facilities will not contribute to dioxin levels in the food supply to any significant extent and will not affect food quality or safety, human health or the environment.