PGAQ #57 by Vic Steblin, Dec 1, 2008

2570 Laurier Crescent, Prince George, BC, 250-564-1123

Instead of relying on instruments to measure fine particulate directly, one could estimate what gets into the air by considering the mass of the starting material. There are obvious differences between fuels and the efficiency of burning methods. According to my knowledge, natural gas is the best fuel and should be used. The by-products of water and carbon dioxide from burning natural gas are not as dangerous to health as the fine particulate produced by more inefficient fuels like wood, pellets and coal.

To estimate the impact of various fuels, consider their starting mass. Any leftover ash is irrelevant since those leftovers do not get into the air. Also assume that the particulate is related to their efficiency rating. For example, if a pellet stove is rated at 90% efficient, assume that about 10% of the mass gets into particulate.

Now consider all the cigarettes burned in our city. In my opinion, cigarette smoke does not significantly add to the pollution of Prince George because of the low masses involved. Of course, the health cost of smoking is very high to individuals but the smoke does not affect our air shed much.

Next consider the total mass of wood burned in residential wood stoves. This amount of wood swamps the mass of cigarettes smoked. Truckloads upon truckloads of firewood enter the city and eventually create a lot more smoke than cigarettes. Wood smoke is not negligible in the colder season and can fill the bowl.

Finally consider the wood burned by mills. This total mass in turn can swamp the residential wood burners. But the effect on neighbouring houses of a residential burner can easily be worse than more distant mills.

The mass burned by one wood pile can match all the cigarettes in Prince George. The mass burned by one mill can match all the residential wood burners. We have orders of magnitude here that require careful thought and realistic solutions.