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As studies show, general health effects from breathing air containing wood smoke are: <br />- reduced lung function especially in children; <br />- increased severity of existing lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema, <br />pneumonia, and bronchitis; <br />- aggravated heart disease; <br />- increased susceptibility to lower respiratory diseases; <br />- triggering of headaches and allergies; <br />- irritated eyes, lungs, throat, and sinuses; <br />- chronic obstructive lung disease, increase risk of cancer, and genetic mutations <br />with long-term exposure. <br />At this time we are requesting that <br />- the burn permit be suspended immediately until an ordinance is adopted; <br />- an ordinance be written and passed within 30 days of this meeting; <br />- the new ordinance requires shredding, composting, chipping, or mulching of all <br />developers' natural waste materials; <br />- burning of poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac be prohibited by any person. <br />I have provided: <br />- a copy of the Lake Hogan Farm petition and map of the development; <br />- copies of some studies on the effects of wood and poison ivy smoke; <br />- copies of the Puget Sound Region Outdoor Burning Restrictions as a model. <br />For further information you may contact: <br />- State of Illinois, Institute of Natural Resources, 309 West Washington St., Chicago, <br />I L 60606. <br />- EPA. A summary of emissions characterization and non cancer respiratory effects <br />of wood smoke. EPA-453/R-93-036. December, 1993. <br />- Dr. Nancy Pate, research scientist for EPA, at (919)541-5347. <br />She thanked the County Commissioners for their time, and all of the hard work they have <br />put in to protect the residents of Orange County. <br />Chair Carey said that the County would not have the power to suspend the burning <br />permit for 1St American Land of Apex. He encouraged the residents to speak with the Town of <br />Carrboro. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis asked about the statement "We have spoken to Mr. David <br />Goracke, director of development for 1St American Land, and others in that company numerous <br />times begging them to stop burning and to please shred or haul cuttings away, as they do for their <br />other projects. They have refused to do so, suggesting instead that the current residents should <br />pay for shredding the wood!" He asked Craig Benedict if he was familiar with 1St American Land <br />of Apex and the developer, Michael Chadwick. Craig Benedict said that his staff met with Michael <br />Chadwick in the field about a month and a half ago to discuss this issue, and Mr. Chadwick said <br />that he would speak to his subcontractor. It was Craig Benedict's understanding that the <br />developer was going to cease the open burning. <br />John Link said that he talked with Mr. Chadwick to inform him that the Commissioners <br />have instructed the staff to move quickly with the Solid Waste Ordinance, which would give the <br />Commissioners the authority to stop and prevent burning as a means of disposing of wood debris <br />and other vegetation. He informed Mr. Chadwick of this so that he would know that this would <br />impact him. The staff will bring this back to the Board the second week in October. The enabling <br />legislation will be beneficial in the future but will take some time to work through the County <br />Commissioners and other governmental entities. It is the Solid Waste Ordinance that will be the <br />vehicle for the County Commissioners to ban burning. <br />