Exposing children to smoke is child abuse!!
Post by Woodnyet » Sat Jan 07, 2012 6:47 pm
This is my belated New Year Editorial
Exposing children to smoke is child abuse
We grew up in the 1960s, when our parents and elders used tobacco in the house. On holidays, I recall choking in a pall of thick blue smog in my grandfather's small living room. Yes, we kids "survived it," but almost every relative of mine that had smoked is now dead (on an average age of their late forties)
Of course the general public did not learn of the health danger of second-hand smoke until the late 1980s. As of now, 2012, more and more states are enacting smoking bans in public places. And most sensible smoking parents now use their tobacco out-of-doors.
Interestingly enough, second hand smoke from wood-burning fireplaces creates substantial indoor air pollution, much the same as we had experienced in our youth. That being said, I have identified a new smoking chimney right near my back yard. Today, I smelled subtle smoke inside my own home. I looked out my back window and
noticed the next yard looked almost like a London fog. (I am not making this up) The smoke was originating from a neighbor's chimney. After dark, I rechecked that chimney with my laser pointer to confirm the continuance of that particular pollution source.
I know these people have a small 3-year old child. Their window drapes were open, so I could see their television. It had Mickey Mouse on, confirming that a small child was present in the same room as the badly-smoking fireplace. I reckoned that the child was breathing a substantial dose of secondhand smoke, because that fireplace is in that TV room.
Should I have called child protective services? Because carelessly exposing children to smoke is child abuse. That is because smoke is in fact harmful, especially to young lungs. And there is no excuse for this.
Should people report clueless parents exposing their kids to SHS, in a car or otherwise? In every state, small children are required to be sitting in car safety seats ... should we not protect them from smoke as well? After all, a car safety
seat protects against possible harm. But smoke creates not just a possible harm, it creates a certain harm.
So where is the outrage on this?
P.S.
The Surgeon General has determined that there is no safe level of exposure to ambient smoke!
If you smell even a subtle odor of smoke, you are being exposed to poisonous and carcinogenic compounds!
Since smoke drastically weakens the lungs' immune system, staying away from smoke is one of the best ways to avoid colds and flu, or risk of an even more serious respiratory illness, such as pneumonia or tuberculosis!
Source: http://burningissues.org//forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4676
Webmaster---All who care about the environment, the air that we breathe, and your health should check out this great website as to why all wood burning should be prohibited/banned/ended. Then take action in your town to do just that!!! http://burningissues.org/car-www/index.html
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Where’s there wood smoke, there’s a health hazard
Where’s there wood smoke, there’s a health hazard
Because wood comes from trees and since trees are natural and/or since pioneers burned wood, many people assume that wood smoke is benign. Nothing could be further from the truth. Whether it is from a fireplace or a wood stove, wood smoke contains significant amounts of the most toxic substances on the planet: dioxins, furans, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, sulfur dioxide and many others. These substances are sent into the air as fine particles that travel deeply into the lungs.
Wood smoke causes lung and cardiovascular disease and premature death. Wood smoke is more than 10 times more carcinogenic than is tobacco smoke and, where it is burned, it easily outstrips cars’ and industry’s effects on human health.
A neighbor’s home is heated with wood through the winter. Thus, my other neighbors and I have acrid, visible wood smoke in the air outside our houses for nearly half of the year. Not only is it annoying to smell wood smoke every time we step outside during cool weather, but it’s distressing the learn (Google “wood smoke carcinogenic,” for example) that wood smoke nanoparticles enter even tightly sealed houses, so harmful levels of wood smoke are inside houses, as well.
Heating with wood is unnecessary in a high-density setting, where natural gas or oil are readily available. Given the health damage it causes, wood burning is an inappropriate, anti-community technology.
Reports indicate that, even when it comes from a certified stove, wood smoke contains 200 times as many hazardous particles as does fuel oil exhaust. Natural gas burns cleaner than oil.
Burning wood is not “green.” It’s lethal and should be banned in populated areas.
Mark Oshinskie,
New Brunswick
The writer is an environmental attorney.
Source:http://www.nj.com/times-opinion/index.ssf/2011/12/times_of_trenton_letters_to_th_192.html
Because wood comes from trees and since trees are natural and/or since pioneers burned wood, many people assume that wood smoke is benign. Nothing could be further from the truth. Whether it is from a fireplace or a wood stove, wood smoke contains significant amounts of the most toxic substances on the planet: dioxins, furans, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, sulfur dioxide and many others. These substances are sent into the air as fine particles that travel deeply into the lungs.
Wood smoke causes lung and cardiovascular disease and premature death. Wood smoke is more than 10 times more carcinogenic than is tobacco smoke and, where it is burned, it easily outstrips cars’ and industry’s effects on human health.
A neighbor’s home is heated with wood through the winter. Thus, my other neighbors and I have acrid, visible wood smoke in the air outside our houses for nearly half of the year. Not only is it annoying to smell wood smoke every time we step outside during cool weather, but it’s distressing the learn (Google “wood smoke carcinogenic,” for example) that wood smoke nanoparticles enter even tightly sealed houses, so harmful levels of wood smoke are inside houses, as well.
Heating with wood is unnecessary in a high-density setting, where natural gas or oil are readily available. Given the health damage it causes, wood burning is an inappropriate, anti-community technology.
Reports indicate that, even when it comes from a certified stove, wood smoke contains 200 times as many hazardous particles as does fuel oil exhaust. Natural gas burns cleaner than oil.
Burning wood is not “green.” It’s lethal and should be banned in populated areas.
Mark Oshinskie,
New Brunswick
The writer is an environmental attorney.
Source:http://www.nj.com/times-opinion/index.ssf/2011/12/times_of_trenton_letters_to_th_192.html
Friday, January 13, 2012
Happy Valentine's Day--without woodsmoke!
Valentine’s Day..Protect the Heart of the ones you Love!!
This Valentine’s Day and every day protect the heart of the ones your love by becoming informed about Tobacco smoke and Woodsmoke Pollution.
The Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation states:
Smoking, heart disease and stroke
“Smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke have many negative health effects that increase your risk of developing heart disease and stroke. Smoking contributes to the buildup of plaque in your arteries, increases the risk of blood clots, reduces the oxygen in your blood, increases your blood pressure and makes your heart work harder. Smoking also nearly doubles your risk of ischemic stroke.
Did you know?
Being smoke-free has enormous benefits for your health and the health of the people around you. More than 47,000 Canadians will die prematurely each year due to tobacco use, and almost 8,000 non-smokers die each year from exposure to second-hand smoke.
The good news
Once you become smoke-free and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke, you will immediately reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. The sooner you become smoke-free, the sooner your body can start to recover and it doesn't take long to see the effects.
Within 48 hours, your chances of having a heart attack start to go down and your sense of smell and taste begin to improve.
Within 1 year, your risk of suffering a smoking-related heart attack is cut in half.
Within 15 years, your risk of heart attack is the same as someone who never smoked at all.”
The Bad News
Millions of Canadians are living in urban areas that are continually polluted with Woodsmoke. Woodsmoke is even worse for our health than tobacco smoke and stays active in the body 40 times longer than tobacco smoke. Woodsmoke pollution is associated with cardiovascular disease, stroke and mini-stroke. Wood burning stoves, Wood burning fire places, pellet stoves, OWBs and all outdoor open air burning harm our heart health.
Knowing the facts about tobacco smoke and the danger to our heart, Canadians are demanding the same protection from a deadly form of airborne pollution that also has a negative impact on our heart. Woodsmoke is a Public Health Issue that must be addressed in every Canadian community.
Exposure to fine particulate matter in Woodsmoke (PM 2.5) means the possibility of immediate risk of sudden heart attack, stroke, heart arrhythmia and other heart related events that could result in sudden death or long term heart disease.
Woodsmoke contains many of the same toxic chemical compounds as tobacco smoke, yet millions remain exposed to this deadly form of pollution. Our community leaders can no longer neglect, ignore or dispute the facts that Woodsmoke is a grave threat to everyone in our Nation.
Banning tobacco smoke has saved millions of lives. Now is the time to ban all urban residential Wood burning. Become wisely informed today about the grave dangers of Woodsmoke!
This Valentine’s Day and everyday protect the hearts of the ones you love!
Submitted by: Linda Baker Beaudin
Cornwall Ontario, Canada
Webmaster....Unless we work and succeed to end/ban/prohibit all wood burning in 2012, and the resulting woodsmoke, this will be the last Valentine's Day for many people. Let's make sure we do succeed. Take action now!!!!
This Valentine’s Day and every day protect the heart of the ones your love by becoming informed about Tobacco smoke and Woodsmoke Pollution.
The Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation states:
Smoking, heart disease and stroke
“Smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke have many negative health effects that increase your risk of developing heart disease and stroke. Smoking contributes to the buildup of plaque in your arteries, increases the risk of blood clots, reduces the oxygen in your blood, increases your blood pressure and makes your heart work harder. Smoking also nearly doubles your risk of ischemic stroke.
Did you know?
Being smoke-free has enormous benefits for your health and the health of the people around you. More than 47,000 Canadians will die prematurely each year due to tobacco use, and almost 8,000 non-smokers die each year from exposure to second-hand smoke.
The good news
Once you become smoke-free and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke, you will immediately reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. The sooner you become smoke-free, the sooner your body can start to recover and it doesn't take long to see the effects.
Within 48 hours, your chances of having a heart attack start to go down and your sense of smell and taste begin to improve.
Within 1 year, your risk of suffering a smoking-related heart attack is cut in half.
Within 15 years, your risk of heart attack is the same as someone who never smoked at all.”
The Bad News
Millions of Canadians are living in urban areas that are continually polluted with Woodsmoke. Woodsmoke is even worse for our health than tobacco smoke and stays active in the body 40 times longer than tobacco smoke. Woodsmoke pollution is associated with cardiovascular disease, stroke and mini-stroke. Wood burning stoves, Wood burning fire places, pellet stoves, OWBs and all outdoor open air burning harm our heart health.
Knowing the facts about tobacco smoke and the danger to our heart, Canadians are demanding the same protection from a deadly form of airborne pollution that also has a negative impact on our heart. Woodsmoke is a Public Health Issue that must be addressed in every Canadian community.
Exposure to fine particulate matter in Woodsmoke (PM 2.5) means the possibility of immediate risk of sudden heart attack, stroke, heart arrhythmia and other heart related events that could result in sudden death or long term heart disease.
Woodsmoke contains many of the same toxic chemical compounds as tobacco smoke, yet millions remain exposed to this deadly form of pollution. Our community leaders can no longer neglect, ignore or dispute the facts that Woodsmoke is a grave threat to everyone in our Nation.
Banning tobacco smoke has saved millions of lives. Now is the time to ban all urban residential Wood burning. Become wisely informed today about the grave dangers of Woodsmoke!
This Valentine’s Day and everyday protect the hearts of the ones you love!
Submitted by: Linda Baker Beaudin
Cornwall Ontario, Canada
Webmaster....Unless we work and succeed to end/ban/prohibit all wood burning in 2012, and the resulting woodsmoke, this will be the last Valentine's Day for many people. Let's make sure we do succeed. Take action now!!!!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Burning Wood Causes Cell Mutation..Thus Cancer
“Burning 2 cords of wood produces the same amount of
mutagenic (capable of causing cell mutations that can
cause cancer) particles as driving 13 gasoline-powered
cars 10,000 miles each at 20 miles/gallon.
These figures indicate that the worst contribution that an
individual is likely to make to the mutagenicity of the air
is using a wood stove for heating, followed by a diesel
car.”
Dr. Joellen Lewtas, Contribution of Source
Emissions of the Mutagenicity of Ambient Urban Air
Particles. U.S., EPA, #91-131.6, 1991
Webmaster--Also see previous article on the deadly composition of woodsmoke.
mutagenic (capable of causing cell mutations that can
cause cancer) particles as driving 13 gasoline-powered
cars 10,000 miles each at 20 miles/gallon.
These figures indicate that the worst contribution that an
individual is likely to make to the mutagenicity of the air
is using a wood stove for heating, followed by a diesel
car.”
Dr. Joellen Lewtas, Contribution of Source
Emissions of the Mutagenicity of Ambient Urban Air
Particles. U.S., EPA, #91-131.6, 1991
Webmaster--Also see previous article on the deadly composition of woodsmoke.
Smoke Chemistry---Woodsmoke
Smoke Chemistry
Chemical Composition of Smoke
By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.,
"Sometimes you can see smoke, but smoke also can be invisible."
Sometimes you can see smoke, but smoke also can be invisible. Often you can smell smoke even when you can't see it.
Smoke consists of gases and airborne particles produces as a result of combustion or burning. The specific chemicals depend on the fuel used to produce the fire. Here is a look as some of the principal chemicals produced from wood smoke. Keep in mind, there are thousands of chemicals in smoke so the chemical composition of smoke is extremely complex.
Chemicals in Smoke
In addition to the chemicals listed in the table, wood smoke also contains a large amount of unreacted air, carbon dioxide and water. It contains a variable amount of mold spores. VOCs are volatile organic compounds. Aldehydes found in wood smoke include formaldehyde, acrolein, propionaldehyde, butryaldehyde, acetaldehyde and furfural. Alkyl benzenes found in wood smoke include toluene. Oxygenated monoaromatics include guaiacol, phenol, syringol and catechol. Numerous PAHs or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are found in smoke. Many trace elements are released.
Reference: 1993 EPA Report, A Summary of the Emissions Characterization and Noncancer Respiratory Effects of Wood Smoke, EPA-453/R-93-036
Chemical Composition of Wood Smoke
Chemical g/kg Wood
carbon monoxide 80-370
methane 14-25
VOCs* (C2-C7) 7-27
aldehydes 0.6-5.4
substituted furans 0.15-1.7
benzene 0.6-4.0
alkyl benzenes 1-6
acetic acid 1.8-2.4
formic acid 0.06-0.08
nitrogen oxides 0.2-0.9
sulfur dioxide 0.16-0.24
methyl chloride 0.01-0.04
napthalene 0.24-1.6
substituted napthalenes 0.3-2.1
oxygenated monoaromatics 1-7
total particle mass 7-30
particulate organic carbon 2-20
oxygenated PAHs 0.15-1
Individual PAHs 10-5-10-2
chlorinated dioxins 1x10-5-4x10-5
normal alkanes (C24-C30)1x10-3-6x10-3
sodium 3x10-3-2.8x10-2
magnesium 2x10-4-3x10-3
aluminum 1x10-4-2.4x10-2
silicon 3x10-4-3.1x10-2
sulfur 1x10-3-2.9x10-2
chlorine 7x10-4-2.1x10-2
potassium 3x10-3-8.6x10-2
calcium 9x10-4-1.8x10-2
titanium 4x10-5-3x10-3
vanadium 2x10-5-4x10-3
chromium 2x10-5-3x10-3
manganese 7x10-5-4x10-3
iron 3x10-4-5x10-3
nickel 1x10-6-1x10-3
copper 2x10-4-9x10-4
zinc 7x10-4-8x10-3
bromine 7x10-5-9x10-4
lead 1x10-4-3x10-3
Source: http://chemistry.about.com/od/firecombustionchemistry/a/Smoke-Chemistry.htm
Webmaster---Woodsmoke will harm and kill you. Let's prohibit woodsmoke now. No exceptions!
Chemical Composition of Smoke
By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.,
"Sometimes you can see smoke, but smoke also can be invisible."
Sometimes you can see smoke, but smoke also can be invisible. Often you can smell smoke even when you can't see it.
Smoke consists of gases and airborne particles produces as a result of combustion or burning. The specific chemicals depend on the fuel used to produce the fire. Here is a look as some of the principal chemicals produced from wood smoke. Keep in mind, there are thousands of chemicals in smoke so the chemical composition of smoke is extremely complex.
Chemicals in Smoke
In addition to the chemicals listed in the table, wood smoke also contains a large amount of unreacted air, carbon dioxide and water. It contains a variable amount of mold spores. VOCs are volatile organic compounds. Aldehydes found in wood smoke include formaldehyde, acrolein, propionaldehyde, butryaldehyde, acetaldehyde and furfural. Alkyl benzenes found in wood smoke include toluene. Oxygenated monoaromatics include guaiacol, phenol, syringol and catechol. Numerous PAHs or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are found in smoke. Many trace elements are released.
Reference: 1993 EPA Report, A Summary of the Emissions Characterization and Noncancer Respiratory Effects of Wood Smoke, EPA-453/R-93-036
Chemical Composition of Wood Smoke
Chemical g/kg Wood
carbon monoxide 80-370
methane 14-25
VOCs* (C2-C7) 7-27
aldehydes 0.6-5.4
substituted furans 0.15-1.7
benzene 0.6-4.0
alkyl benzenes 1-6
acetic acid 1.8-2.4
formic acid 0.06-0.08
nitrogen oxides 0.2-0.9
sulfur dioxide 0.16-0.24
methyl chloride 0.01-0.04
napthalene 0.24-1.6
substituted napthalenes 0.3-2.1
oxygenated monoaromatics 1-7
total particle mass 7-30
particulate organic carbon 2-20
oxygenated PAHs 0.15-1
Individual PAHs 10-5-10-2
chlorinated dioxins 1x10-5-4x10-5
normal alkanes (C24-C30)1x10-3-6x10-3
sodium 3x10-3-2.8x10-2
magnesium 2x10-4-3x10-3
aluminum 1x10-4-2.4x10-2
silicon 3x10-4-3.1x10-2
sulfur 1x10-3-2.9x10-2
chlorine 7x10-4-2.1x10-2
potassium 3x10-3-8.6x10-2
calcium 9x10-4-1.8x10-2
titanium 4x10-5-3x10-3
vanadium 2x10-5-4x10-3
chromium 2x10-5-3x10-3
manganese 7x10-5-4x10-3
iron 3x10-4-5x10-3
nickel 1x10-6-1x10-3
copper 2x10-4-9x10-4
zinc 7x10-4-8x10-3
bromine 7x10-5-9x10-4
lead 1x10-4-3x10-3
Source: http://chemistry.about.com/od/firecombustionchemistry/a/Smoke-Chemistry.htm
Webmaster---Woodsmoke will harm and kill you. Let's prohibit woodsmoke now. No exceptions!
Monday, November 28, 2011
Santa’s Decree---A Poem
Santa’s Decree
All through the valley and all through the dale
Santa soon would arrive looking quite pale
His sleigh was all loaded with gifts and sweet toys
For wee little babies, the girls and the boys
As Santa stooped over checking all of his treasures
He wanted to take all preventative measures
He checked his black boots and the toque on his head
Then hooked all the reindeer onto the big sled
He reached for his gas mask to protect him from smoke
Going down into chimneys did make him choke
His wheezing was heavy as they sped through the night
The Woodsmoke all over had become such a fright.
Though the tears shed down the cheeks of the gentle old soul
His wish for the children was soon to be told
His mission would bring him to each city hall
And a letter he would leave for one and for all
He swooped through the clouds and down from the sky
And landed with ease and exclaimed “oh my”
He slipped out of his sled and onto the lawn
Knowing all his deliveries must be made before dawn.
The City Hall lights lit his way to the door
He tucked in his letter which fell to the floor
Inside the letter was Santa’s Decree
It would also be tucked under each Christmas tree
“My name is Santa and I do declare
I am here to bring every person the gift of fresh air
There must be no woodsmoke, no burning or fire
There must only be healthy voices all singing in the choir
I want children to breathe without wearing a mask
And families to be safe and healthy at last
The air they inhale must be free of those toxins
Of mercury, of lead and deadly dioxins
There must be no more soot and black stacks all about
There must be clean air each day, inside and out
Now my decree I do share and advise all to take heed
My Decree will help you to follow the lead”
As each city Mayor declared Woodsmoke no more
The voices did rally and the children did roar
Gone were the woodsmoke hazed skies from before
The windows were open and so were the doors
The air was so crisp, so pure and so clean
And the gift from Santa would always been seen
Back home and exhausted Santa was proud of his night
The gift he had given would last them for life
No more would they suffer, become ill and die
From the Woodsmoke that used to fill all the cities and skies
Santa picked up his newspaper and read with delight
The woodsmoke had ended and now there was light!
Every city hall had posted Santa’s Decree
The gift of fresh air was met with much glee
Anonymous
(The writer wishes to remain private)
All through the valley and all through the dale
Santa soon would arrive looking quite pale
His sleigh was all loaded with gifts and sweet toys
For wee little babies, the girls and the boys
As Santa stooped over checking all of his treasures
He wanted to take all preventative measures
He checked his black boots and the toque on his head
Then hooked all the reindeer onto the big sled
He reached for his gas mask to protect him from smoke
Going down into chimneys did make him choke
His wheezing was heavy as they sped through the night
The Woodsmoke all over had become such a fright.
Though the tears shed down the cheeks of the gentle old soul
His wish for the children was soon to be told
His mission would bring him to each city hall
And a letter he would leave for one and for all
He swooped through the clouds and down from the sky
And landed with ease and exclaimed “oh my”
He slipped out of his sled and onto the lawn
Knowing all his deliveries must be made before dawn.
The City Hall lights lit his way to the door
He tucked in his letter which fell to the floor
Inside the letter was Santa’s Decree
It would also be tucked under each Christmas tree
“My name is Santa and I do declare
I am here to bring every person the gift of fresh air
There must be no woodsmoke, no burning or fire
There must only be healthy voices all singing in the choir
I want children to breathe without wearing a mask
And families to be safe and healthy at last
The air they inhale must be free of those toxins
Of mercury, of lead and deadly dioxins
There must be no more soot and black stacks all about
There must be clean air each day, inside and out
Now my decree I do share and advise all to take heed
My Decree will help you to follow the lead”
As each city Mayor declared Woodsmoke no more
The voices did rally and the children did roar
Gone were the woodsmoke hazed skies from before
The windows were open and so were the doors
The air was so crisp, so pure and so clean
And the gift from Santa would always been seen
Back home and exhausted Santa was proud of his night
The gift he had given would last them for life
No more would they suffer, become ill and die
From the Woodsmoke that used to fill all the cities and skies
Santa picked up his newspaper and read with delight
The woodsmoke had ended and now there was light!
Every city hall had posted Santa’s Decree
The gift of fresh air was met with much glee
Anonymous
(The writer wishes to remain private)
Friday, November 25, 2011
Biomass report raises concerns
Biomass report raises concerns
Letter to the Editor
"Fuelling a Biomess," a Greenpeace Canada report released Nov. 2, raises important concerns about the use of forest biomass for energy on a large scale, and explains how it is not the carbon-neutral, clean and green fuel that governments and industry have claimed.
The report warns of adverse impacts for the climate, our forests, and the health of people, if the current trend toward biomass projects, such as escalating pellet production (and associated deforestation) continues.
I think that pollution and health hazards of industrial biomass burning outlined in the report apply to residential and commercial wood burning as well. In Lethbridge and other cities that, according to the World Health Organization, have clean air overall, some residents can still be forced to breathe air that is unhealthy, if they live or work near a source of localized pollution like a wood fire pit, wood stove or fireplace, or wood-fired oven. Neither can the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) protect people in wood burning neighbourhoods from wood smoke, one of the most harmful forms of air pollution.
Will Greenpeace Canada's new report help encourage provincial and federal governments to avoid rushing to support the bioenergy boom? Instead of the burning of trees, governments may instead invest more in truly clean, renewable forms of energy.
By extension, could the report's challenges to pervasive wood-burning myths perhaps help more municipal leaders and citizens across Canada to also recognize residential wood burning as a serious health and air quality issue? In our own and other communities, might new and better policies (including, hopefully, proactive bans preventing wood smoke in neighbourhoods) be on the horizon?
Cathy Baiton
Lethbridge
Source: Lethbridge Herald (Canada) November 13, 2011
Also: The Wood Smoke Activist Network, December 2011 Newsletter
Web site: http://WoodBurnerSmoke.net
Webmaster---Banning wood burning and all associated wood products (like pellets) must be done ASAP. Biomass is a "biomess" for the environment and the health of the people who have to breathe its poisonous emissions.
One last comment---the writer above states, "....(including, HOPEFULLY, proactive bans preventing wood smoke in neighbourhoods) be on the horizon?
Let's not "hope" for woodsmoke bans. We have to do something about it now. WE HAVE TO TAKE ACTION NOW. Attend your city/town board meetings and tell them you want to end/prohibit/ban all wood burning-indoor and outdoor. Meet with your local Fire Chief who should support your efforts 100%. Write letters to your locally elected officials and leaders and tell them you want a ban. Inform your regional and national leaders you want them to pass by-laws to end the deadly pollution of wood burning. Find and join with other people who care about their children's health and their own health, and go to meetings and write a group letter. Find out why your local health boards are not educated on the deadly effects of woodsmoke, and then ask them to present a request to the town leaders to end/prohibit/ban all wood burning--including wood pellets, and pellet plants. Don't just HOPE! Take action now...or continue to suffer the horrible effects of woodsmoke. Choose Life or choose Death. Which do you choose for your family...and yourself?
Letter to the Editor
"Fuelling a Biomess," a Greenpeace Canada report released Nov. 2, raises important concerns about the use of forest biomass for energy on a large scale, and explains how it is not the carbon-neutral, clean and green fuel that governments and industry have claimed.
The report warns of adverse impacts for the climate, our forests, and the health of people, if the current trend toward biomass projects, such as escalating pellet production (and associated deforestation) continues.
I think that pollution and health hazards of industrial biomass burning outlined in the report apply to residential and commercial wood burning as well. In Lethbridge and other cities that, according to the World Health Organization, have clean air overall, some residents can still be forced to breathe air that is unhealthy, if they live or work near a source of localized pollution like a wood fire pit, wood stove or fireplace, or wood-fired oven. Neither can the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) protect people in wood burning neighbourhoods from wood smoke, one of the most harmful forms of air pollution.
Will Greenpeace Canada's new report help encourage provincial and federal governments to avoid rushing to support the bioenergy boom? Instead of the burning of trees, governments may instead invest more in truly clean, renewable forms of energy.
By extension, could the report's challenges to pervasive wood-burning myths perhaps help more municipal leaders and citizens across Canada to also recognize residential wood burning as a serious health and air quality issue? In our own and other communities, might new and better policies (including, hopefully, proactive bans preventing wood smoke in neighbourhoods) be on the horizon?
Cathy Baiton
Lethbridge
Source: Lethbridge Herald (Canada) November 13, 2011
Also: The Wood Smoke Activist Network, December 2011 Newsletter
Web site: http://WoodBurnerSmoke.net
Webmaster---Banning wood burning and all associated wood products (like pellets) must be done ASAP. Biomass is a "biomess" for the environment and the health of the people who have to breathe its poisonous emissions.
One last comment---the writer above states, "....(including, HOPEFULLY, proactive bans preventing wood smoke in neighbourhoods) be on the horizon?
Let's not "hope" for woodsmoke bans. We have to do something about it now. WE HAVE TO TAKE ACTION NOW. Attend your city/town board meetings and tell them you want to end/prohibit/ban all wood burning-indoor and outdoor. Meet with your local Fire Chief who should support your efforts 100%. Write letters to your locally elected officials and leaders and tell them you want a ban. Inform your regional and national leaders you want them to pass by-laws to end the deadly pollution of wood burning. Find and join with other people who care about their children's health and their own health, and go to meetings and write a group letter. Find out why your local health boards are not educated on the deadly effects of woodsmoke, and then ask them to present a request to the town leaders to end/prohibit/ban all wood burning--including wood pellets, and pellet plants. Don't just HOPE! Take action now...or continue to suffer the horrible effects of woodsmoke. Choose Life or choose Death. Which do you choose for your family...and yourself?
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