Garbage burning and health?

Question

I have a neighbor that burns garbage. The leftover food kind and he also throws dog crap (yes, dog pooh) in the burn pile as well. He then poors gas to get it going. There usually isn't much flame, just hours and hours of smoldering smoke that blows right in my house. I cannot fully describe to you the disgusting and nausiating smell that permeates my home.

I have been trying to get my town to do something about it since there is an ordinance against burning trash (we are allowed to burn wood). However, in the meantime, is burning such nastiness a health hazard for me?

Answer 1

Yes, burning can be a health hazard. It can also aggravate existing conditions. This is an ongoing debate in some local communities where I live. You might find this interesting:

http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/eh/HlthHaz/fs/WoodBrn.htm

Answer 2

well yes i have heard that trash burning is bad for peoples health. i read in the readers diegest about some people whose neighbor burned his trash and after so many years something happend to their daughter and she died. So they think it was from the trash burning. But that was over a long period of time.

Answer 3

I believe that this is dangerous to your health, although I couldn't give you any proof. Smoke of any kind if inhaled enough of the time, I believe, is bad for your lungs. If I were you, I would keep my windows shut and would get one of those air purifiers going in your house. Yours sounds like a terrible situation.