NY considers ban on 'burn barrels' to cut air pollution

New York environmental officials are considering a statewide ban on open burning of household waste. Current rules exempt the state's 850 towns with fewer than 20,000

people.

The Department of Environmental Conservation says burn barrels release 17 times more dioxin and 40 times more ash than permitted incinerators.

The proposed ban would make some exceptions, including small campfires and cooking fires, ceremonial fires and certain types of agricultural waste burning.

But some lawmakers from rural towns tell the Times Union of Albany the proposal is overreaching and unnecessary.

They say the amount of outdoor burning is minimal, and banning it could result in more waste being taken to dumps.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)