Open Burning Outreach Team(O.B.O.T.)

North Carolina Division of Air QualityRuchi Singhal

March 29, 2005

Why Limit Open Burning?

Smoke from open burning pollutes the air and is unhealthy to breathe

Potential health effects include– Lung and Eye irritation– Headaches– Dizziness– Asthma attacks– Coughing and wheezingand– Even death in some cases

“I didn’t start this, it was a cigarette”

“Construction waste doesn’t have any synthetic material”

“I didn’t know burning a thousand tires was bad for the air. Tires

burn so good”

Never Burn These Materials:

Trash, garbage

Lumber

Treated wood

Tires

Newspapers and other paper products

Wire and coated wire

Structures – standing or demolished

Asphalt shingles

Plastics, synthetics

Heavy oils

Paints

Household, agricultural chemicals

Open Burning NOV’s Stats

Region9/1/02 – 3/1/03

3/2/03 – 8/31/03

9/1/03 – 3/1/04

3/2/03 – 9/1/04

ARO 24 33 27 38

FRO 52 53 66 74

MRO 31 49 31 41

RRO 30 29 15 37

WARO 33 44 28 57

WIRO 9 12 5 18

WSRO 22 39 23 69

Total NOV’s 201 259 195 334

The DAQ initiative Steven Vozzo open burning project (2000) Director and supervisors push to start

initiative that focuses on open burning (2003) Ban burning on code orange or higher Ozone

Action Days DAQ creates Open Burning Outreach Team

(OBOT) (2004)– 2 large region representatives, 1 small region

representative, PIO, Tech Services person, Air Awareness person, Deputy Director, & coordinator

OBOT Subteams

Outreach to:– Media/General Public– Businesses/Association/EAC/Contractors– Schools– Fire

Departments/Forestry/Agriculture/DOT

Breathe… Don’t Burn

Key Slogan: “Breathe…Don’t Burn”– Focus on health hazard – Positive message to people

Will be on:– Old brochure (used to be “Don’t Get

Burned”– New publications (inserts, guide sheets,

magnets, pencils)

Billboards

– 4 designs with key messages

– 25 billboards across the state

– Advertising space free

– We pay for sign production and installation

– Currently in budget approval process

Burn Trash = Breathe Trash

Stop Outdoor Burning

Don’t Choke on Smoke

Stop Outdoor Burning

Publications

Handout/Insert– Simple Message with Key Points– English and Spanish (reverse

side)– Size small enough to fit in

envelope– Separate handouts geared toward

backyard burners and land-clearers

– Graphics to re-enforce message – DFR will include insert with

burn permits (170,000 burn permits given last year)

Breathe… Don’t Burn

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Publications – cont’d

Guide Sheet– Pictures of items not allowed to burn– Alternatives for disposal– To be handed out while investigating

open burning compliance situations– Contact information provided

Other Materials– Poster – for schools and public

offices– Coloring Sheets – for kids– Pencils and Magnets

Guide Sheet-alternatives to burning

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reath

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Don

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There’s a better way to dispose of trash and yard

waste

Outreach – Schools

Target: 7th grade– New curriculum phasing in beginning 2005 teaches AQ in 7th

grade

Tools (distribute separately or in kit):– Teacher Guide

Background info, relate to video

– VideoFast paced to convey message to students

– Pencils (recycled, bright colors)– Classroom poster– Magnets

Outreach – Mailouts

Directories provided by the following:– NC Home Builders Association– NC Association of County Commissioners– NC Association of County Commissioners– NC League of Municipalities– NC Landscape Contractors Registration Board– Employment Security Commission

Outreach – Newsletters NC Home Builders Association NC Association of County Commissioners NC League of Municipalities NC Landscape Contractors Registration

Board NC Cooperative Extension Agency NCDA&CS (Soil Fertility Note) NC DFR (certified burner – annual)

Open Burning Training Fire Departments – 3 Year Cycle NC Div. of Forest Resources – 5 Year Cycle NC Dept. of Transportation – 5 Year Cycle Local Governments/Municipalities –

Mailout/newsletter Agricultural Agencies – Extension Agents

and NC Dept of Agr.

Training Media Open burning brochures Power Point presentations w/handouts Professional video within 3 years

OBOT Accomplishments Media/General Public

– Billboards designed and ready to go up in next few weeks across NC

– New brochures, pamphlets printed

– Website modified http://daq.state.nc.us/enf/openburn

Businesses/Association/EAC/Contractors – Mailouts to Construction related

businesses (3,300 mailouts)

OBOT Accomplishments Schools

– Starting a presentation that teachers can give to students

– Creating a “kit” idea with a workbook of activities

– Designed magnets– Promote video done by Western

NC (excellent) Fire Departments/ Forestry/

Agriculture/DOT – Regions have given a plan for

reaching all County Fire Dept in 2005

– Training presentation created and given to regional offices to start presenting.

OBOT Accomplishments Outdoor fires pollute the air

Smoke is unhealthy to breathe

Recycle or properly dispose of waste