Oregon Construction Contractors (CCB) Practice Test

Which materials are prohibited from open burning in Oregon?

1. Untreated wooden furniture

2. Unpainted and untreated scrap wood

3. Construction debris

4. Household trash

The correct answer is: Unpainted and untreated scrap wood

The selection of unpainted and untreated scrap wood as a prohibited material for open burning in Oregon is grounded in state environmental regulations aimed at protecting air quality and public health. Open burning of this type of wood can release harmful pollutants and particulates into the air, which contribute to air quality issues and can have adverse effects on health. While untreated wooden furniture is generally acceptable to burn in some contexts, and unpainted and untreated scrap wood might seem harmless, regulations specify stricter controls on their disposal methods to mitigate environmental impacts. Construction debris and household trash are heavily regulated in their disposal as they can contain various materials that release toxic substances when burned. These regulations thus reflect Oregon's commitment to environmental protection by limiting the types of materials that can be legally burned.