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NEWS RELEASE
Be a Good Neighbour: Burn Smart and Keep Our Air Clean
Vancouver, BC – April 17, 2008 – For British Columbians who heat their homes with wood fires, there is a very compelling reason to begin cutting the winter’s wood supply now -- burning dry wood creates far less air pollution.
“Many BC families rely on wood burning as a cost-effective form of heat and energy, and cherish the comfort provided by a warm fire,” said Scott McDonald, Executive Director for the BC Lung Association. “Unfortunately, wood smoke is an important cause of air pollution, particularly in rural BC.”
“Burning wood releases harmful pollutants into the air, especially when poor burning techniques and inefficient wood-burning appliances are used,” said McDonald, who urges British Columbians to be burn smart, for their health, and that of their neighbours. “For those that do heat their homes with wood fires, it is critical to burn smart.”
Exposure to the pollutants in wood smoke can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, nausea and dizziness. Wood smoke can also worsen existing lung conditions such as asthma, and has been associated with an increase in other respiratory problems.
Burn Smart Tips to help reduce the polluting effects of wood burning:
- Make sure not to burn wet wood, and never burn green wood, painted wood, or particle board. Dry wood burns cleaner and puts fewer chemicals, organic gases, dust, and soot particles into the air.
- Dry your wood for several months, ideally six months or more, covered loosely to allow air circulation to remove moisture.
- Give your fire plenty of air. Don't overfill your stove or leave it burning unattended.
Burn small, hot fires – they produce much less smoke than ones that are left to smoulder. - Use small pieces of wood kindling and newspaper to start your fire. Add larger pieces of wood as required. Wood should be split to a thickness of at least 10-15 cm, depending on stove size. That size increases the surface area exposed to flame, resulting in higher burn efficiency.
- If you have a wood stove, be sure yours is up-to-date and maintained. Old wood stoves can contribute to unhealthy indoor and outdoor air, and cause health problems. Newer, cleaner heating appliances, such as gas stoves and fireplace inserts, can reduce emissions by up to 70 percent. Use only appliances approved by the Canadian Standards Association or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency*.
- Be a weather watcher. When the air is cold and still, temperature inversions trap wood smoke and other pollutants close to the ground. Avoid using your wood stove or fireplace on hazy, windless days and nights.
For more information and Burn Smart Tips please visit www.bc.lung.ca
* For more information on wood stove exchange programs in participating communities and their incentives, visit www.wetbc.ca , or for information on how your community can participate in the woodstove exchange program in the future, visit www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/woodstove/index.htm .
About the BC Lung Association
A non-profit, non-governmental organization, the BC Lung Association is dedicated to improving lung health and promoting clean air initiatives across the province. Through public awareness campaigns, the BC Lung Association acts as an educational resource for the general public as well as those living with respiratory conditions. The BC Lung Association also specializes in patient support programs, community services and advanced medical research.
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For more information, please contact:
Katrina van Bylandt, Communications Manager, BC Lung Association
T 604.731.5864, or 1.800.665.LUNG (5864)