FACTS AND REGULATIONS ABOUT OPEN BURNING IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY
Wood burning is regulated within Allegheny County due to the numerous pollutants, including air toxics, found in wood smoke. Wood smoke contains dozens of air toxics—contaminants known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects such as aggravating lung disease, asthma, acute bronchitis and increasing the susceptibility to respiratory infections. Wood stoves, fireplaces and outdoor fire pits are all sources of air pollution that can negatively impact a neighbor’s or family member’s health.
Since these pollutants in wood smoke do not remain within property lines and also have a negative impact on our region’s air quality, the ACHD encourages everyone to be considerate of their neighbors. Nuisance fires may be stopped by ACHD, and the owner of a problematic fire may be fined. Please read the specific regulations about open burning and health effects.
www.achd.net/air/burning
www.burnfactsalleghenycounty.info