PGAQ #53 by Vic Steblin, Nov 27, 2008

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

The internet site www.burningissues.org contains an anti-wood burning brochure that clearly presents their position. Section titles are as follows and I have selected a few accompanying statements. See the site for full details.

Wood smoke is more than a nuisance, it is a severe health hazard! As population densities increase, wood burning becomes even more inappropriate because smoke toxins cannot be prevented from crossing property lines. Indoor PM2.5 levels from wood smoke reach at least 50-70% of outdoor levels.

Breathing in wood smoke is comparable to inhaling second-hand cigarette smoke. The EPA (Environment Protection Agency) estimates that wood smoke is 12 times more carcinogenic than equal amounts of tobacco smoke and attacks our body cells up to 40 times longer than tobacco smoke. A single fireplace operating for an hour and burning 10 pounds (2 Kgs) of wood during that time will generate 4300 times more carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) than 30 cigarettes.

What’s in Wood Smoke? Wood smoke contains over 100 different chemicals and compounds, including dioxin, as well as lead, cadmium and arsenic. Etc. The largest single source of outdoor fine particles (PM2.5) in many cities is our neighbour’s fireplace or wood stove. 90% of wood smoke is in the weapon-size particle range, allowing the fine particles to remain airborne for up to 3 weeks.

In the last 10 years the number of children suffering from asthma has doubled. Homes in wood burning areas also have increased rates of low birth weight and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). We can reduce our children’s exposure to toxic pollutants by taking very simple measures: avoiding the use of wood burning appliances and tobacco.

The above claims from the “Burning Issues” site should be upsetting to burners. However, reasonable people should err on the side of caution and try a season without burning. You might enjoy the cleaner air.