Dirty Wood-Heaters

- by Dr. Dorothy Robinson, Woodsmoke.3sc.net 

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"205","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"465","style":"width: 333px; height: 323px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; float: left;","width":"480"}}]]The most health-hazardous air pollutant is PM2.5 (tiny particles less than 2.5 millionth of a metre in diameter) that cause 10 to 20 times as many premature deaths as the next worst pollutant (ozone).  

PM2.5 penetrate the deepest recesses of our lungs.  As well as causing lung disease, PM2.5 can enter the bloodstream and transport the toxins in air pollution all round the body, causing inflammation, heart disease, cancers, dementia, genetic damage in babies, increased risk of childhood asthma, autism, reduced IQ when children start school and attention problems.

A Victim of Woodsmoke Pollution

- by Shirley Brandie, WoodBurnerSmoke.net

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"195","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"237","style":"width: 341px; height: 237px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; float: left;","title":"Photo: Woodburnersmoke.net","width":"341"}}]]In 2000, we bought a home to enjoy our retirement in. It was perfect for us! Everything on one floor, a surrounding deck, and a large expanse of lawn. Little did we know that, in 2002, our lives would be changed dramatically! Beginning in 2002, our home became surrounded and infiltrated by wood smoke from our neighbour. There was no help in getting this smoke stopped. Everywhere we turned we received sympathy but were told there was nothing they could do.

We were told that it was an issue to be dealt with at the municipal level. Approaching the municipality and asking for help gave us more sympathy but no action.