Laws governing wood smoke emissions is long overdue

To the Members of the Connecticut Public Health Committee


Below is another case that has come to the attention of Environment and Human Health, Inc. (EHHI). This man's name is William Kusmit and he is from Seymour, CT. This man, like many others, has tried to keep the smoke out of his home by putting plastic around his windows and doors. But he, as the others, have not realized that wood smoke particles are so small they cannot be kept them out - even in the newer tighter homes. Here is William Kusmit's case.

Nancy Alderman

To whom it may Concern,

I would like to take a moment of your time to share our experience with the problem of woodsmoke from our neighbor's chimney.

One day last year we noticed smoke all around our house with the smell of smoke getting into our home it was like being directly in front of a chimney.

I wrote to the building inspector to see if the neighbor's chimney met the building code.The building inspector left a note on my neighbors door which stated 'woodstove violation chimney height'.

My neighbor came banging on my door asking how I could 'turn him in'. I explained the problem we were having and how the smoke was even getting into our home and his response was that we should 'get new windows'. He later added 2 ft to the chimney to bring it up to code.

However, we continued to experience problems from the chimney exhaust so I asked my neighbor if he would add another 6 ft to this chimney and I would pay for it. He agreed to do this.

As I tried to deal with my neighbor and his smoke - the next thing I knew there was a police officer at my door telling me I could not tell my neighbor how to use his stove. The police officer told me harassment was against the law and if I talked to my neighbor again about the stove I would be arrested.

We continue to experience problems from being in contact with and breathing the exhaust from the chimney. This results in physical symptoms such as causing eyes to burn, congestion, and chest discomfort. The congestion and chest discomfort lasts for several days. I am also concerned about the long term health consequences of being exposed to this smoke.

Those of us with existing health problems are more susceptible to the effects of woodsmoke exposure, but the exhaust from this chimney is so strong no one would be able to tolerate this. I have coronary artery disease and my wife has Multiple Sclerosis.

We follow strict guidelines to try to maintain our health and then are exposed to the toxic elements of woodsmoke which adds to our health problems.

I believe the time for laws governing wood smoke emissions is long overdue. There are many people who are adversely affected by wood smoke. There is a great deal of evidence about the health risks of woodsmoke and we need laws to help people whose health is put in jeopardy because of being exposed to this woodsmoke pollution.

I have done what I can to try to keep the smoke out of the house such as putting plastic over the door going into the garage, sealing windows etc. but of course when we open the front door the smoke comes right into the house. My wife and I have had to wear masks when going from the house to the car because of the strong exhaust fumes.

I feel as though we are being poisoned by the smoke from my neighbors woodstove and there is nothing in Connecticut law to help us.

Thank You.
Sincerely,
William Kusmit
Seymour, CT
--
Nancy Alderman, President
Environment and Human Health, Inc.
1191 Ridge Road
North Haven, CT 06473
(phone) 203-248-6582
(fax) 203-288-7571
http://www.ehhi.org
http://ehhijournal.org/
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Web Master Comment.... Mr. Kusmit is correct. Even though wood smoke emissions violate property rights, harm the environment, are an assault and battery on your family, render your yard and property unlivable, and will physically make you very sick (and slowly kill you), the laws to protect Mr. Kusmit, us, and our families are so few and so weak, it is ironic and disappointing to know our elected officials are doing nothing to help. Connecticut elected officials (and let's also mention this applies to the rest of the U.S.A), the EPA (local and federal), Pollution Control Boards,and other governmental agencies that are suppose to protect us, have closed their eyes, covered their ears, remained mute, and have fallen into a vacuum on this urgent health issue.

The American Cancer Society and American Lung Association (and what about the Asthma and Allergy organizations?) also have been mute to address and/or support the banning of wood burning. Wood smoke causes cancer and is deadly to people with lung problems. Heck, even healthy people are affected by wood smoke. The above organizations silence and their non-action is an insult to all that have supported them in the past.

Please visit this great website for additional information..
http://burningissues.org/car-www/index.html