The ill effects of burning land

People with asthma, emphysema, COPD and other breathing problems often suffer when the farmers burn the fields, and the smoke from past fires has blocked visibility and caused traffic accidents, some involving injuries and death. Tens of thousands of acres are burned each year: mainly the wheat fields in the spring and corn and rice fields in the fall. The fall burning can be especially bothersome because the air is often stagnant and the smoke accumulates near the ground.

Although there are less offensive ways of dealing with unwanted crop residue, many farmers continue to burn. I believe this is short sighted. I know those who burn have their reasons, but they generate a lot of ill will with their neighbors who suffer and with the travelers who drive in the smoke. And ill will can hurt. In today's society you cannot continuously do things that aggravate those around you and expect to thrive. We all depend on each other to some extent, and we must find ways of meeting our goals without causing problems for others.

I believe if the farmers don't find a way to self-police the burning, they will eventually see legislation that mandates it. Southeast Missouri contains some of the finest crop land in the world and we depend on farming for food as well as for the huge contribution it makes to the economy. But farmers should try to find ways to meet their goals without choking their neighbors or causing danger for travelers.

GARY L. GAINES, Cape Girardeau