Hospital Suggests Alternatives to Leaf Burning

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Published on October 30 2014 6:20 am
Last Updated on October 30 2014 6:48 am
Written by Greg Sapp

With the fall upon us, many of us are starting to clean up our lawns and getting rid of the leaves that have gathered, many times through burning leaves. While everyone appreciates a neat lawn, HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital encourages people to consider alternative options to leaf burning that are less toxic to our environment and our community.

Leaf burning can be a nuisance to many and can hinder lives, particularly for those who struggle with respiratory health issues. According to the Community Health Needs Assessment conducted by St. Anthony’s in 2011, over 27 percent of area adults in Effingham County currently suffer from or have been diagnosed with nasal or hay fever allergies. In addition, over nine percent of area adults suffer from chronic lung disease and over five percent currently struggle with asthma.

Douglas Kabbes, MD, Medical Director of St. Anthony’s Emergency Services, shared, “I have seen many people struggling with these respiratory health issues in our hospital ER. Inhaling the smoke generated by leaf burning can cause people to get sinus infections or pneumonia. While these may seem like minor issues, there can be more severe effects from leaf burning,” he said. “For those with lung disease, asthma, emphysema or those with heart disease, it can be life threatening. Longer term risks include developing heart and lung disease, cancer and others. The smoke from leaf burning can have particularly harsh effects on the very young and the elderly. What most people don’t realize is that second hand smoke from leaf burning is much worse than any second hand smoke related to cigarette smoking,” he explained. 

St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital encourages everyone to consider alternatives to leaf burning to keep your lawn neat while helping keep the air clean. Dr. Kabbes shared the following alternatives which would help out those who suffer from respiratory health issues. “Mow your lawn an additional two to three times at the end of the year as leaves accumulate. You could also try mulching your leaves – mulching helps return nutrients to the grass. Composting your leaves is another option,” he said. “You can also borrow or rent a chipper to break down leaves and branches. By taking the wood chips and spreading them around your trees and flower beds, you can help the soil retain moisture and control weeds,” he shared. “By considering alternative options to leaf burning, we can work together to have a positive and lasting impact on our community’s health.”

For more information about HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, visit St. Anthony’s web site at stanthonyshospital.org