One of the most common signs that fall has arrived is leaves changing colors. Though the red, orange and yellow leaves look beautiful on the trees, they can create a mess of your lawn. Leaf burning is sometimes sought as a quick fix for people looking to easily clear their yard of large piles of leaves., and in some places illegal – it can cause significant health, environmental and safety risks.
As a pulmonary and critical care physician at Northwestern Medicine, Rubabin Tooba, MD, knows just how dangerous leaf burning can be. She spoke with us about what happens when you burn leaves and alternatives to try this season to keep you and your family's lungs healthy this autumn.
What Toxic Chemicals Does Leaf Burning Produce?
Whenever something is burned, it releases a plume of toxins into the air. In leaf burning, that toxic cloud can include carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, volatile organic compound (VOCs), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). "Many of these substances can be microscopic, but those compounds get released into the air and inhaling them can create lung problems like inflammation or disease," explained Dr. Tooba.
Particulate matter is especially harmful because these tiny pieces of dust, dirt, soot and smoke can travel deep into the lungs and irritate the alveoli (air sacs) which can damage the lungs. These particles can increase the risk of respiratory infection and even reduce the amount of air going in and out of the lungs. For those with chronic lung disease, like asthma or COPD, this can be extremely dangerous.
"When we are exposed to chemicals and they infiltrate the areas where we normally exchange healthy air, oxygen and carbon dioxide, an inflammatory reaction occurs," Dr. Tooba continued. "For some people that means phlegm production, difficulty breathing, chest discomfort and coughing. For others, the reaction may be less severe, but there is still damage being done."
Is Leaf Smoke More Dangerous than Wood Smoke?
While all types of smoke can harm the lungs, burning leaves releases fine particles and other pollutants that can irritate the airways and worsen breathing problems. Typically, leaves become damp or moist when they are raked into piles. This dampness prevents the pile from catching fire easily and instead creates a low, smoldering flame that produces thick, billowing smoke. Any plastic waste or lawn chemicals that may have accidentally been swept into pile can make matters worse. "Leaf fires tend to have moist compounds that create more harmful breakdown products than wood smoke, which is drier," Dr. Tooba agreed.
"Though you can’t always see pollution in the air, if you can see the product being broken down, chances are it is not good for you because you're inhaling something that's taking up the space of healthy air."
Additionally, leaf burning can quickly turn into a bigger problem as embers can easily be moved by the wind and quickly become an uncontrolled wildfire. This is why many areas in the U.S. restrict leaf burning. "The idea is that these moist compounds release more aerosolized chemicals into the air and the wind can more easily move these across long distances causing more burning and damage."
What Are Safer Ways to Get Rid of Leaves?
An effective way to not only get rid of leaves, but to put them to good use is to compost them. Dry leaves are carbon-rich materials that, when combined with nitrogen-rich green materials like grass clippings, can create a nutrient-rich compost. If you don't have a compost pile of your own, many communities have a place where you can take your leaves to add to the community's compost. "Composting is great because it uses leaves in a productive way," said Dr. Tooba. You can also chop or shred leaves and use them as mulch or fertilizer on their own.
If those aren't feasible options, Dr. Tooba reminded us that, “collecting leaves and using a lawn care or leaf removal service, or taking advantage of community leaf collection programs in your area, can be a healthier alternative to burning them.”
To learn more ways to keep your lungs healthy this fall, visit our blog.
Blog last updated: October 12, 2026
