Bike Ride Highlights Trash Burning Dangers

(04/15/05) A group of cyclists will start biking from St. Lawrence County to Albany tomorrow. The 2nd Annual "Tour de Burn Barrel" is to draw attention to the health and environmental hazards of burning trash outdoors. The Environmental Protection Agency says one burn barrel can produce as much air pollution as a modern incinerator burning 400,000 pounds of garbage. Trash burning releases toxic chemicals like dioxins, arsenic, and lead into the air. Those chemicals can cause asthma, lead to thyroid problems, and increase the risk of cancer. Trash burning is legal in most rural parts of the state. David Sommerstein spoke with Chris Neurath, publisher of burnbarrel.org. He's helping to organize the Tour de Burn Barrel bike ride.