Letter to Editor-The London Free Press

Letter to Editor

Published in The London Free Press on Nov. 22, 2008

UNLESS otherwise noted, these letters are to be considered unedited. The opinions expressed in the letters and comments are those of the writers and not of The London Free Press.

Environment
Wood smoke contributes to environmental damage
Regarding the column Neighbours' dispute defies reasonable resolution (Nov. 19).

It is about time people realized the harm they are doing to their neighbours and to the environment by burning wood.

Poor air quality and pollution are a serious problem that requires the 7co-operation and effort of everyone. One important contributor to air pollution is often ignored. Residential wood burning produces fine particles and gases that contain a multitude of toxic substances and carcinogens.

Burning wood and allowing it to foul the air of your neighbours is a rude and unnecessary assault on the senses of your neighbours. It causes many people, especially the young, the elderly and those with respiratory problems to be put in physical danger.

For those of you that are not aware of the dangers of wood smoke and are looking for scientific facts, visit www.burningissues.org. For those who want to see how I was affected by smoke release, visit my site at: http://woodburnersmoke.net.

POSTED BY: Shirley Brandie, Amherstburg
POSTED ON: November 22, 2008

EDITORS NOTE: As published in The London Free Press on Nov. 22, 2008
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Comments (on above letter posted on London Free Press newspaper web Blog)

A hole neighbour---Well Shirley considering this jack a@@ neighbour goes out there to smoke his brains out, I doubt very much he cares about smoke from burning wood. I feel terrible for this poor family that live beside this moron. It’s sad to have crappy neighbours. Some people just don't care about other people and only think of themselves. But hey nothing can be done....right !! LOL Ya just don't expect this city to help. Unless it’s a bylaw that puts money in their greedy hands then don't expect anything to change.
POSTED BY: N Hamilton


Gather evidence----I take daily readings of air quality with an inexpensive laser particle counter. Weekend evenings have consistently the very highest particle counts. These are very small diameter particles, in the one-half micron size (PM0.5) and come entirely from combustion. Strangely enough, counts as high as forty times that of a direct output of a car exhaust pipe have been present in my neighborhood air, along with the overpowering stench of wood smoke. It is very unhealthy to breathe air that is equivalent to 40 exhaust pipes blowing directly into one's face!
POSTED BY: Tom