science · 15 October 2009 · 15 years ago
In 2009, New York State banned open-burning of waste and debris throughout the state (with limited exceptions for camp-fires, cooking fires, on-site burning of agricultural waste, flag disposal and celebratory or ceremonial bonfires). This ended the exemption of about 850 small rural small communities which were not included when in 1972, legislation against open fires was applied only to cities with population over 20,000. A side benefit would be to help prevent forest fires caused by burning of yard waste. New York City had a ban in place within the city limits from 1 Jan 1962 (with a two-year exemption for builders and building wreckers). This timeline illustrates the increasing attention tion being given by cities and states, around the United States, to air quality, and reducing the health problems caused by air pollution.
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