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Speak Out
Use care when burning wood
Fall is underway in the Bay Area, and already we've experienced some cold weather, the kind of temperatures that cause us to retreat to our easy chairs and fireplaces for comfort. But some fires offer less comfort than others--in ways many of us don't realize.
Consider this: one traditional wood fire emits almost a half-pound of particulate pollution into a neighborhood in an evening. That's why the Bay Area Air Quality Management District is concerned with woodsmoke from fireplaces and woodstoves. Particulate pollution has serious health consequences. The very smallest particles can penetrate deep into the air sacs of the lungs and become trapped for years, contributing to lung disease.
And these pollutants don't only reach your neighbors outside. Woodsmoke also pollutes your own home. Particulates can cause or aggravate coughing, shortness of breath, eye irritation, asthma, bronchitis and emphysema. It's particularly unhealthy for children and those who already suffer from respiratory problems.
On cold winter evenings with little wind, woodsmoke and other pollutants get trapped in a shallow layer of cold air near the Earth's surface. The smoke can stay trapped in neighborhoods for days, increasing the potential for exposure to harmful pollutants. In the Santa Clara Valley area, woodsmoke pollution is of particular concern because the smoke can't escape over the hills; it remains trapped in the valley.
As awareness about the health risks of woodsmoke increases, more and more Bay Area cities are establishing ordinances to stop the proliferation of woodsmoke from new fireplaces. Los Altos was among the first to adopt a woodsmoke ordinance in 1992.
In these times of rising energy prices, using a traditional fireplace may seem like a terrific cost-saving idea. But the truth is, fireplaces are not an efficient source of heat. Wood is expensive, and the health and environmental impacts of burning wood are great. This year, the air district is asking residents to avoid burning wood. If you must burn wood, follow these basic guidelines: Only use dry seasoned wood; never burn treated wood or garbage--these materials release harmful toxins into the air; and never use wrapping paper as a starter for your fire.
For a free woodburning handbook, call the Bay Area Air Quality Management District at 800.HELP.AIR or visit www.sparetheair.org.
Randy Attaway
Chairman, Bay Area Air Quality Management
District Board of Directors
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
