Corn burners warned of potential toxic gases

While some Iowans turned to corn-burning furnaces in recent weeks as natural gas prices shot up, they’re now warned -some- corn could be dangerous, even deadly, to burn. Chuck Corell, at Iowa D-N-R’s Air Quality Bureau, says some corn is treated with pesticides, and when heated, pesticides can change into other chemicals. Some pesticides could even change into what’s commonly called mustard gas, which was used as a weapon in World War One. Corell says people should ask the person they buy corn from if their products have been treated. When the proper fuel is burned, Corell says corn-burning furnaces are a great asset to the home. Corell says burning regular-shelled corn can be a clean, excellent source of heat using renewable, Iowa-grown energy.