Does a lighting a backyard fire pit contribute to pollution?

Question

I primarily burn dead wood, but occasionally a Duralog.

Answer 1

Yes , anything that you burn contributes to pollution. It's not the visible smoke either. When you burn something it releases carbon into the air that contributes to things like global warming and acid rain etc.

Answer 2

Not as much as U breathing.

Answer 3

In theory yes just like if I had dumped a 55 gallon drum of water in New Orleans during Katrina I could say I contributed to the flooding. Other than that just don't burn plastics or other oil based products.

Answer 4

Yes it does. Tyres and foam are the worst. Treated pine (especially CCA) is VERY dangerous.

Even burning wood isn't great as it releases all of it's stored carbon in the form of atmospheric CO2, but it's not that bad either, as long as you remember a few things.

Only use fallen/dead wood. The wood would rot on the ground anyway, and even though a fair bit of it's carbon would be absorbed into the ground, some will be released as CO2 as well.

On the other hand, don't cut down and dry out living trees for firewood. They have a much better job to do.

The CO2 released from a typical fire is pretty small in either case. Better not to, but you're much better off switching to green energy or driving less than not having an occasional fire.

Hope that helps

Answer 5

I would guess it depends on what it was you were burning.

I have a backyard fire pit to burn small branches and leaves around my yard.  I started making it fun by having a "campfire" at my house at night.  We put a few hot dogs on the grill and burn the yard waste.  I think pollution may be caused by fumes from factories and cars as opposed to dead branches....