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Department of Ecology News Release - November 19, 2007
07-338
OLYMPIA - As winter approaches and temperatures drop, the use of woodstoves and other wood-burning devices rises. The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) offers information about how improper use of those devices can harm air quality and human health.
The 1991 Washington Clean Air Act restricts use of woodstoves and fireplaces. It emphasizes education and enforcement to control air pollution from woodstoves. This guide explains the problem of wood smoke pollution, how Ecology and local air agencies are working to reduce wood smoke, the reasons for indoor burning bans, and how you can reduce pollution from your woodstove.
Wood smoke is an air pollutant Many people don't think of the smoke from their woodstove or fireplace as air pollution. But wood smoke is one of the most toxic air pollution threats in Washington. It contains hundreds of air pollutants, including:
These substances can cause cancer and other health problems, such as:
The most dangerous material in wood smoke may be the fine particles that make up the smoke and soot. Many of these particles are toxic. Most are so small that, when you breathe them, they go deep into your lungs. There, they can cause serious problems such as scarring of the lung tissue. Studies show that death rates in U.S. cities increased when there were higher levels of fine particles in the air. Wood smoke is especially dangerous to the health of infants and children, pregnant women, adults over age 65, and people with lung or heart disease.
The Washington State Department of Health recommends people who are sensitive to air pollution limit time spent outdoors. Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, cause difficulty breathing, and make lung and heart problems worse.
Effects of wood smoke in Washington
Wood smoke is Washington's third-leading source of air pollution. It causes about 11 percent of Washington's yearly air pollution. Almost half of Washington's households have woodstoves, fireplaces, or other wood-burning devices. They put out hundreds of times more air pollution than other sources of heat such as natural gas, electricity, or oil. Some of the reasons wood smoke is such a serious problem are:
Compliance with burn bans is very important Ecology and local air agencies call local burn bans when wood smoke pollution reaches unsafe levels. Prior to that, they often issue advisories asking people not to burn woodstoves and fireplaces so air pollution won't reach unhealthy levels. Burn bans have two stages:
Stage 1: The use of older, uncertified wood stoves, inserts and pellet stoves, as well as fireplaces, is banned when stagnant air conditions are beginning to form and pollution is expected to reach unhealthy levels.
Stage 2: Use of all woodstoves, inserts, pellet stoves and fireplaces - even if they are certified - is prohibited when pollution reaches a higher threshold.
These bans do not apply to homes with no other source of adequate heat.
In December 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency adjusted the level at which fine particulates make air unhealthy. That's because hundreds of recent studies showed that air is unhealthy to breathe at much lower levels than previously thought. So it is important to comply with voluntary curtailments and burn bans to protect your own family and your neighbors.
The 2007 Legislature directed Ecology to assemble a group of woodstove manufacturers, sellers and other stakeholders to look at how wood smoke can be reduced. The group will make recommendations to the 2008 Legislature.
The Legislature also directed the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency to study how air quality may be affected by calling burns bans at various levels below those currently in state law. Spokane Clean Air will report its findings to the Legislature.
What you can do
If you heat with wood, you can reduce smoke by burning properly:
Burn only dry, seasoned wood. Be sure your firewood has been split and dried for at least one year. Store it under cover. Never burn wet, painted, stained or treated wood; colored newsprint; plastic; garbage; diapers; or magazines.
Burn small, hot fires. This helps the wood burn completely and cleanly.
Never allow fires to smolder. This wastes wood, produces little heat, and causes a lot of smoke - indoors where your family is affected and outdoors where your neighbors are affected.
Make sure your fire gets enough air by checking your chimney. You should see only heat waves. If you see smoke, increase the air supply to your fire.
Make sure your woodstove is the right size for its space. A stove that is too large for the space it is heating will have to be damped down, causing more smoke.
Make sure your stove is properly installed.
It is illegal to install an uncertified stove in Washington.
Don't purchase or install a woodstove until you've considered all other heating choices.
For more information See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/outdoor_woodsmoke/wood_smoke_page.htm or contact your local air quality agency:
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Media contact: Seth Preston, Ecology communications manager, 360-407-6848
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
