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Department of Ecology News Release - November 15, 2006
06-236
SPOKANE - Residents of Stevens and Ferry counties who heat with wood, have an opportunity this year to trade up to a cleaner-burning, newer model woodstove at a significant savings, thanks to a $52,000 grant program administered by the Department of Ecology (Ecology.
Ecology is conducting a wood stove buy-back program designed to reduce toxic smoke pollution in the air in Stevens and Ferry counties. Smoke contributes to respiratory illness, particularly in children and the elderly.
Residents can take their older, non-certified stoves to either Tri-County Stove and Fireplace or Norstar Heating and Cooling, both located in Colville, to receive $600-$800 off the price of a new, certified, cleaner-burning wood, pellet, or gas stove.
The EPA granted the program's funding to Ecology because air monitoring has shown high readings of soot and smoke pollution in Stevens and Ferry counties during the winter months. Wood stove emissions have been associated with increases in respiratory ailments. Soot and smoke or "particulate matter" pollution is a known cause of lung problems and exacerbates existing conditions such as asthma.
Ferry County has one of the highest rates of childhood asthma in Washington, and nearly 54 percent of homes heat with wood. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than one third of the households in Ferry and Stevens counties heat with wood. According to American Lung Association statistics, both counties have high rates of asthma.
"Often, the households are using older, less efficient, uncertified stoves," said Karen Wood who manages Ecology's air quality program in Spokane. "This year we will be able to help people pay for an upgrade, which will help improve air quality in their own home and in their neighborhoods."
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Contact: Jani Gilbert, public information manager, 509-329-3495; cell, 509-990-9177
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
