Burning of household garbage has been, and still is, a common occurrence in rural areas. Iowa rules regarding open burning allow household garbage from dwellings smaller than four family units to be burned on site unless there is a more  restrictive local ordinance. However, there are many good reasons not to burn garbage. The following information is supplied by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and presents a good case for seeking alternative methods of garbage disposal.

‘Backyard burning’ of common household trash and garbage emits substantial amounts of toxins into our environment. EPA tests show one burn barrel emits up to 80 times more pollution and up to 11 times the dioxin per pound of garbage burned than a municipal waste incinerator that serves tens of thousands of homes. You can help keep toxins out of our air, food, water, and soil by finding cleaner waste disposal options.

Burning household garbage in piles, barrels, pits, and fireplaces is a poor combustion method with low temperatures, poor oxygen flow, and lack of emission controls unlike municipal incinerators. Plus it is a filthy hassle to deal with leftover ash and soot.

Common household trash such as synthetics, plastics, metals, and packaging release potent chemicals when burned. Even common paper products such as junk mail, cardboard, newsprint, and magazines contain chemical dyes, coatings, pigments, and chlorine.

Emissions include particulate matter, carbon monoxide, acids and toxins such as vinyl chloride, heavy metals, dioxins, and furans to name a few.

Inhalation may cause irritation, asthmatic attacks, or increase the long-term health risks for respiratory problems, cancers, birth defects, developmental developmental abnormalities, and other serious health problems for burners and persons downwind.

Several toxic chemicals emitted are PBTs-persistent, bioaccumulative toxins. They take many decades to break down and are slowly building up in the environment and some food chains, posing additional risks when consumed.

Please learn not to burn. Sanitary disposal and recycling are safe, clean, and convenient options. For materials, contacts, and resources for cleaner waste disposal, check out the Waste Management Assistance Division (WMAD) website.

Information in this article was supplied by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources at the following web site:

http://www.state.ia.us/government/dnr/organiza/epd/air/citizen/burn/garbage.htm

The elbow is one of the most complex joints in the body—three bones have to fit together perfectly," says Kurt Schulz, assistant professor of surgical and radiological sciences at UC Davis. "The hip joint is, alternatively, a relatively simple joint that has only two bones—but still they must glide perfectly as a ball and socket."

Sometimes the bones don’t fit or articulate well due to injury or disease, says Dr. Schulz, who is an expert in orthopedic surgery and the biomechanics of natural and prosthetic joints.

Cats have no common developmental orthopedic diseases, and rarely develop joint infections. By far the most common problem for feline hips and elbows is accidental fracture.

In dogs, it’s a different story.

Several breeds, including golden retriever, Labrador retriever, German shepherd, Newfoundland, Bernese mountain dog, rottweiler, border collie, and mixed breeds—both large and small—can develop hip and elbow "dysplasia."

For instance, in the disease called FCP (fragmented coronoid process), a small portion of the bone in the elbow joint breaks off, which causes swelling, arthritis, mild to severe pain, lameness, and exercise intolerance.

Elbow diseases such as fragmentation or disunity in the joint create great difficulties for dogs, who carry more weight on their forelimbs than on their hind limbs.

Developmental hip problems can begin at any age, while almost all elbow diseases affect young dogs. Signs begin to show up from about six months to two years of age. Osteoarthritis, the end result of joint diseases, can become apparent  at any age.

Dr. Schulz and his colleagues carry out CCAH supported research to better understand the biomechanics and pathophysiology, or underlying causes, of developmental joint diseases.

Some of their studies of elbows and hips include analysis of the surface contact of bones and load transmission when an animal walks. They also use technology such as quantitative computed tomography, otherwise known as "CAT scanning," to devise methods for screening and to develop preventive measures.

Clinical Treatments
The Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital has a very high caseload of dogs with elbow dysplasia. Dr. Schulz may see five or more cases a week. Orthopedic treatments to relieve the condition include debridement—cleaning out the diseased tissue using a tiny power grinder such as those used in dentistry—and microfracture, a technique to cause cells in the diseased tissue to be replenished with healthy cells. Both of these surgical approaches require postoperative management that includes intensive physical therapy and antiarthritic medications for about four weeks.

Total Hip Replacement
UC Davis has the largest program anywhere in the world for the study of total hip replacement (THR) in dogs. THR is done for dogs with previous hip trauma, and most commonly, for dogs with hip dysplasia. A dog becomes a candidate for THR when medical management— control of body weight, appropriate exercise and treatment with pain medication— ails.

Dr. Schulz says, "We are working to optimize implant design and procedure to ensure that an artificial hip joint will function properly throughout a dog’s life. W e are primarily interested in cemented total hip replacements that have been used successfully in humans for more than 20 years. W e are also investigating the use of a joint designed in Switzerland that is ‘cementless.’ There are advantages to both cemented and cementless artificial joints; it’s important to have the option of either technique."

Ninety-six percent of hip replacements in dogs are successful, but surgical complications can include dislocation of the joint (the ball pops out of the socket), infection (more a concern with cemented joints) and aseptic (not caused by infection) loosening, which can show up with either the cemented or non-cemented variety of artificial joints.

"In order to eliminate complications and give more dogs an opportunity for relief, we continue to research the most effective procedures in orthopedic surgery, and to share our findings with the veterinary profession," says Dr. Schulz. For more information from the CCAH, check the CCAH Update web site at

http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/ccah/Update.html