Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 25/06) - The Yellowknife fire department is concerned they are receiving calls from residents asking if they can burn their household garbage.

Don't even think about burning your household garbage in an outdoor receptacle, such as the one shown, or in your fireplace or stove, says Yellowknife's deputy fire chief Chucker Dewar. - Dorothy Westerman/NNSL photo

Yellowknife deputy fire chief Chucker Dewar said some residents may think that burning their household garbage is an alternative to bringing it to the dump now that there is a cost associated with disposing it there.

"It is in the solid waste management bylaw that burning garbage is not permitted," Dewar said.

The director of population health for the NWT has concerns as well.

Picture a skull and crossbones wafting within the cloud of smoke from burning household garbage, says Dr. Andre Corriveau.

Burned garbage consists of plastics, or glues on particleboard, that can produce very toxic compounds. These can cause serious health problems if breathed in, Corriveau said.

"It can be quite dangerous and there can be immediate risk to the people doing it," Corriveau said.

"Any combustion produces toxins, but burning at lower temperatures can produce even more toxins," Corriveau said of the improper burning practice. "Even with the best (high-temperature burning) stoves, there is always seepage of contaminants."

When you think of the long list of poisonous substances found in cigarettes, add to that dioxins, furans, arsenic and a variety of other substances, he said.

"It's not a good idea to burn garbage and possibly having you, your kids or neighbours inhaling it," the health expert said.

What enters your body likely stays there, building up an internal trash heap of toxins.

"Any smoke will exacerbate asthma," he offered as one example. "People might have severe allergic reactions or toxicity to the liver or kidneys. In others, it can mean a long-term impact like skin diseases or cancer."

A $500 fine is yours for a first offence for burning garbage.

But whether in a 45-gallon drum outside the house, or within one's fireplace or stove, Dewar said he does not condone the practice.

"You need a permit for burning in a firepit and that is for wood only," Dewar said of any outside burning.

He's more worried about how sneaky people might be.

"The major concern is that people will start to burn garbage in their indoor fireplaces, which creates a significant fire hazard. A significant creosote buildup in the chimney can ignite, often causing a fire that will spread throughout the house.

It will happen. Chimney fires in September and October last year caused extensive damage to two residences.