How to Reduce Wood Smoke Pollution in the Winter Air

Wood smoke pollution is a problem in many areas, especially in the winter season. Small particles of dust, ash and smoke can cause health effects from bronchitis to emphysema. Follow these steps in doing your part to save the air.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fire Detector
• Fire Logs
• Fireplaces
• Firewood
• Fire Extinguishers
• Fire Extinguishers

1. Limit burning wood in your fireplace or wood stove. There are other ways to limit pollution while maintaining a warm fire. Using hardwood firewood (oak, hickory, orchard) or using certain brands of fire logs can produce around 50 percent less pollution.

2. Switch to a natural gas fireplace, which burns cleaner and is relatively convenient and safe to operate.

3. Switch to wood stoves certified by the Environmental Protection Agency, which limit the release of combustible gases that would escape as wood smoke. See "How to Choose Between EPA-Certified Wood Stoves" for more details.

4. Burn only dry, seasoned wood with a moisture content of less than 20 percent. Avoid burning garbage, glossy magazine paper or chemically treated wood.

5. Build a small, hot fire rather than a towering inferno, limiting the amount of harmful smoke escaping through the chimney. Start with a couple of softwoods (pine, fir) and slowly add hardwood logs.

6. Keep an eye on the chimney for smoke and have both the chimney and fireplace inspected. When there's a lot of smoke, there often is a fire lit incorrectly or burning hazardously.

Tips & Warnings

• Fire logs reduce heat loss and air pollution from your fireplace but aren't recommended for use in wood stoves.
• Certified wood-burning fireplace inserts are available to convert a masonry fireplace to a more efficient, safer fuel fireplace. Make sure the insert you use meets federal emission standards.
• Harmful emissions from gas-powered vehicles are also a leading cause of air pollution, so avoid unnecessary driving. Remember, every little bit counts.

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[ohsilly]

on 1/4/2007 How do I tell my neighbor to stop using firewood 24 hours 7 days round the clock? He is a nutcase!!