I'm dealing with a frustrating situation involving my neighbor. They've been piling up tree branches and shrubs in their yard, and I know that poison ivy is in that pile since it grows abundantly around our area. I've been careful to gather and dispose of my own poison ivy in a controlled manner, but my neighbor seems to disregard my concerns. Recently, after I spoke to him about the risk, he set the pile on fire while I was outside, and I was shocked. I managed to get my kids inside but now I'm worried about the smoke. I contacted local authorities, but they dismissed my worries. I'm seriously concerned about the health risks from inhaling the smoke, especially for elderly neighbors. Does burning poison ivy pose a significant risk? Will this smoke affect my home's air quality, and is there any legal recourse if someone gets sick?
4 Answers
Since the smoke can carry urushiol, the oil from poison ivy, it's potentially hazardous for folks who are allergic. It might not be an issue for everyone, but it's definitely not something to take lightly. If you start noticing health issues in neighbors, it could help to have evidence if you talk to local authorities again.
For those who aren't allergic, it may just cause mild irritation, but for allergic folks, it could be serious. You mentioned you're worried about HVAC systems, and yes, any floating particles could theoretically enter those. I'd say getting a hotel was smart given the circumstances.
It sounds like a stressful situation! Generally, unless you're really close to the fire, the risk from breathing in smoke might be minimal, but you did the right thing getting your kids out of there. It's best to wash any exposed skin right away. For your peace of mind, contacting the health department could be a good step. They might take your concerns more seriously since burning poison ivy could be a public health issue in many places.
That neighbor really should be aware of the dangers! Burning poison ivy creates toxic smoke that can affect anyone nearby, especially those with allergies. You might want to keep a close eye on the situation and document everything. If it continues, consider bringing it up to the local health department since it could be a health hazard.
For sure! It's not just about what's in the pile but also how it affects everyone around it.
Yeah, it's always better to be safe than sorry! Even if the dosage is low, it could still be risky for those with allergies.