Heating With Wood Air Quality: Protecting Your Health

Heating With WoodAir Quality: Protecting Your Health

Matt DuvallBasin Educator for Natural Resources

Central Wisconsin

Overview

Air Pollution from Wood SmokeOutdoor Air PollutionIndoor Air PollutionPotential Impacts on Your HealthEnvironmental SafetyHow to Heat with Wood Safely

Outdoor Air Pollution

SMOKE is the Problem, Ash is a Sign

Fine Particulate Matter•Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons•Tars•Formaldehyde•Benzene•Dioxin

Indoor Air Pollution

EquipmentNon-Airtight = By-products of Burning Inside Your HomeProper Venting

Smoldering Fires Carbon Monoxide

Outdoor Air Pollution gets InsideThrough Closed Windows and DoorsFor You and For Your Neighbors

Impacts on Your Health

Respiratory (Lung) DiseaseAsthmaAllergiesHeart DiseaseIrritate Mucous MembranesCarcinogenic

Environmental Safety

Greenhouse GasesTrees are RenewableTrees Capture Carbon

Acid RainTwo Thumbs up for Wood

Particulate MatterOld Technology can be DirtyNew Technology = Significant Improvement

How to Heat with Wood Safely

Use a Modern High-Efficiency Airtight Stove (EPA Certified)Burn Clean Dry Wood OnlyBurn Small Hot FiresDO NOT Burn GarbageDO NOT Burn Treated Wood

Use Modern Equipment

Air-TightNo By-Products in Home

Proper VentilationInstalled by Professionals

High Efficiency (EPA Certified)

Less Pollution Outside

Its All in the Fuel

Well Seasoned WoodSmall Split Pieces

Burning Garbage is Poisonous

Acid VaporsCarcinogenic TarsDioxinsFuransHalogenated HydrocarbonsSulfur Dioxide

Heavy Metals• Lead• Cadmium• Chromium• Barium• Arsenic• Mercury

Modern Garbage – It Ain’t the ‘Good Ole Days’ Anymore

Summary

Careless Burning can Produce Harmful PollutionCareful Burning can be Clean and Environmentally ConscientiousUse Modern EquipmentBurn Clean Dry Wood OnlyBurn Small Hot Fires

Questions?

Recommended Websiteswww.woodheat.orgwww.woodstovechangeout.orgwww.outdoorwoodfurnaces.orghttp://hpba.org/consumer/2/