 Open Burning
Open burning is the burning of unwanted materials such as paper, trees, brush, leaves, grass, and other debris, where smoke and other emissions are released directly into the air without passing through a chimney or stack. Open burning also includes incineration devices that do not control the combustion air to maintain an adequate temperature and do not provide sufficient residence time for complete combustion (R 336.1115(b) and R 299.4104). Open burning pollutes the air and poses a fire hazard. The air pollution created by open burning can irritate eyes and lungs, obscure visibility, soil nearby surfaces, create annoying odors, and is a danger to those with respiratory conditions.
On thursday, April 19, 2012, Lt. Governor Calley signed legislation that amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (Public Act 451 of 1994) to prohibit the uncontrolled burning of plastic, rubber, foam, chemically treated wood, textiles, electronics, chemicals, or hazardous materials. "This legislation is long overdue to protect the health of all Michiga residents," Calley said via a press release. "It does not prohibit all buring, but it does target the substances most dangerous to public health.
The legislation takes effect six months from the date of signature.
House Bill 4207 introduced in 2011 (Now Public Act 102 of 2012) |
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