An Ohio state senator’s letter supporting Outdoor Wood Boilers

The Times-Gazette
Hillsboro, Ohio
September 9, 2008

Re: An Ohio state senator’s letter supporting Outdoor Wood Boilers

And a response…..


Posted: Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Article comment by: mary smith

Senator Carey needs to have an OWB next to his house so he can experience 24/7 OWB smoke exposure first hand. You can't fully understand what you haven't personally experienced. And to use the argument that "Many Ohioans have invested thousands of dollars to install wood boilers..." doesn't acknowledge that the OWB neighbors have also spent thousands of dollars on their gas or oil heating systems and on purchasing their properties. OWB smoke drifting across a property line is trespass. OWB smoke is thick, heavy and toxic and creates a public health hazard. That nice wood smoke smell is caused by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are known human carcinogens. The Ohio legislature needs to understand that OWB emissions exceed what existing Ohio EPA air pollution laws allow for visible emissions, particulates and toxic air emissions, and no person should have to tolerate smoke constantly in their homes and on their property. Ohio legislators need to learn that OWB smoke contains unhealthy levels of toxic air pollutants. Just 'cause we've burned wood for thousands of years doesn't mean that it's harmless. Remember, we used to make our water pipes out of lead 'cause we didn't know any better. We used to cover our houses in asbestos 'cause we didn't know any better. We used to fill our teeth with mercury 'cause we didn't know any better. We know better than to force people to live in a cloud of toxic wood smoke. Even a 2-year old will get out of the way of smoke. But, you can't get your house out of the way when the OWB is next door.

Web master comment---we agree!