4/30/08 Seasonal Burning Ban Starts Tomorrow!

From the Hamiliton County Air Pollution Control Bureau:

Chattanooga, Tenn. – The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau wants to remind Hamilton County residents that beginning May 1, 2008, seasonal burning restrictions will take effect and continue through September 30, 2008.  During this period no burning—commercial or residential—will be allowed in Hamilton County.

Burning leaves, brush, and other vegetation creates smoke resulting in a number of hazardous air pollutants.  In addition to increasing pollution levels, these pollutants can cause health effects ranging from allergies to cancer.  Burning restrictions are proven methods of controlling air quality.  Residents and companies are encouraged to use alternative methods to burning, like chipping, composting and recycling. 

Only recreational fires are allowed during the restriction period.  A recreational fire is a cooking or campfire, using charcoal or clean, untreated firewood.  These can occur in designated areas or on private property for cooking, pleasure, or ceremonial purposes.

“We realize that seasonal burning restrictions cause a level of inconvenience for our community,” said Bob Colby, Director of the Air Pollution Control Bureau.  “However, enacting the restrictions during the five hottest months of the year—when both ozone and fine particles are at high levels—gives us a real air quality advantage.  It also encourages people to look into alternatives to burning, like chipping or composting.”

In addition to seasonal burning restrictions, the following control measures have been implemented in Hamilton County: vehicle emissions testing, lowering the highway speed limit for diesel trucks, vapor recovery from fuel tankers and a community awareness program, Pollution Solution, which alerts the community on days that air quality is forecast to have negative health effects.

For more information about how you or your organization can become part of the Pollution Solution, visit the Bureau’s website at www.pollutionsolution.org or contact Amber McCorvie, Public Relations Specialist, at 423-643-5989 or mccorvie_a@mail.chattanooga.gov.

See you soon,

Brian