PGAQ #75 by Vic Steblin, Jan 7, 2009

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

Finally, after years of discussion, the Prince George Air Improvement Roundtable (PGAIR) has agreed to set targets to reduce air pollution. This was reported in the Wednesday, January 7, 2009 Citizen newspaper.

The article states that “The target calls for the roundtable to work with all fine particulate emission sources to voluntarily reduce emissions that are shown by research to have a significant impact on air quality.”

Now wood burners may use the loophole words of “voluntary”, “by research”, and “significant” to avoid responsibility and thus to continue burning. The city burning bylaws are essentially “voluntary” and are respected by most citizens but are abused by a few. “Research” is used to “avoid the issue” by anyone of differing opinion. “Is it significant?” is also used to “avoid the issue” by anyone intent on continuing old habits.

Woodburners, please respect the health of others by voluntarily quitting burning. Wood smoke is NOT negligible and is dangerous at any level. The research has already been done that smoke is bad. It is up to all of us to clean up the air of Prince George. That includes woodburners, vehicles and mills.