| Wood-burning fireplaces are becoming more | | | | Dr. Ramierez-Venegas of the UK explains, |
| popular. There's something romantic and relaxing | | | | "Biomass [wood] smoke is composed of a |
| about sitting near a fireplace, hearing the crackle | | | | relatively equal mixture of coarse and ultra-fine |
| of the wood, and gazing at the flickering flames. | | | | particles and can penetrate deeply into the lung, |
| And with soaring fossil fuel prices, many people | | | | producing a variety of morphologic and |
| believe that it's less expensive to burn wood for | | | | biochemical changes." |
| heat during the winter. But research shows that | | | | "Mammalian lungs don't have defenses against |
| central heating is typically the most efficient and | | | | small particles," points out Joel Schwartz of the |
| cheapest way to heat. Many people also think | | | | EPA. "Particulate pollution is the most important |
| that burning wood is better for the environment | | | | contaminant in our air... We know that when |
| since wood is a renewable resource; however, | | | | particle levels go up, people die." |
| according the Environmental Protection Agency | | | | Of course, it's best to avoid burning wood (for |
| (EPA), wood burning is not environmentally | | | | the benefit of your family, your neighbors, and |
| friendly. In fact, wood results in high levels of air | | | | the environment), but if you must, you can take |
| pollution that can harm the environment and your | | | | steps to limit your exposure to the air pollution. |
| health. | | | | Make sure your fireplace is working properly with |
| "The largest single source of outdoor fine particles | | | | a sufficient draft. Tightly sealed doors in front of |
| entering into our homes in many American cities is | | | | the fireplace block out much pollution. Don't burn |
| our neighbor's fireplace or wood stove," says Dr. | | | | trash or treated wood, and make sure your |
| Wayne Ott of Stanford University. | | | | wood has been split and dried for at least six |
| Wood smoke contains many of the same | | | | months. Use small pieces of wood. Small, hot fires |
| chemicals as cigarette smoke, including carbon | | | | give off less pollution than smoldering fires. |
| monoxide, nitrogen oxide, hazardous metals, and | | | | Many air purifiers are specifically designed to |
| known carcinogens such as formaldehyde, dioxin, | | | | handle the air pollution from smoke. Blueair air |
| benzene, and toluene. Inhaling wood smoke | | | | purifiers are available with SmokeStop Filters. The |
| appears to be even more dangerous than inhaling | | | | AllerAir 5000 DS air purifier is designed to absorb |
| tobacco smoke. An EPA study concluded that | | | | smoke, tar, fine ash, and other airborne |
| breathing wood smoke particles during high | | | | particulates, and the IQAir Multigas air purifier |
| pollution days is equivalent to smoking 4 to 16 | | | | removes a wide spectrum of gases and |
| cigarettes. Medical studies have linked air pollution | | | | particulates, including smoke. If you want to get |
| with lung cancer, heart attacks, strokes, high | | | | rid of the odor from smoke, try the Gonzo |
| blood pressure, congenital heart defects, asthma, | | | | Smoke Odor Eliminator. |
| and even brain damage. People most at-risk for | | | | For more information about the medical hazards |
| damage from air pollution include asthma | | | | of wood smoke, visit Burning Issues, a non-profit |
| sufferers, diabetics, those with congenital hearth | | | | research and educational organization. |
| failure, and children. | | | | |