Do you know that the smell of wood smoke is affecting your health?

Do you know that the smell of wood smoke is affecting your health?
By Brie Oishi

Last year I decided to do research as to the harmful effects of fireplace smoke emissions on people’s health. Through information provided by UBC and BC Lung Association I learned that fireplace smoke does contain more than 100 chemicals and numerous toxic substances which are linked to many diseases such as asthma, bronchial problems, and Lung diseases; including cancer. Also, thickening of the blood vessels that are a risk factor to stroke and heart attacks; it also increases the rate of ear infection and even short term exposure shows increased incidence of cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm).

A study on lab animals suggests that prolonged exposure to wood smoke may weaken the immune system; and I question; “is ‘that’ the reason for the multitude of allergy sufferers in our country?” If so, then many people are Allergy victims because of wood smoke exposure from neighboring fireplaces! It is my understanding that these toxic substances do penetrate dwellings even with windows closed, putting people at risk. Up to now, Metro Vancouver has not been successful in convincing the public of the harmful effects on people’s health from ”Wood Burning” and is still trying to educate them. A stove exchange program is in force.

It is understandable that this may be necessary for individuals who are dependent on wood as their only source of fuel, but in our highly populated Metro Vancouver area, where weather conditions are not exactly of a 5 star rating, I feel that it would be in the best interest of all living and breathing beings to simply ban the use of Wood Burning. Some authority will just have to take a stand on this issue and put their foot down, so to speak, and in my opinion Metro Vancouver would be the first choice to do that and of course our municipalities.

As I have been in contact with our federal and provincial Government on this issue, their reply was, that it falls under the jurisdiction of municipalities.
I am aware that toxins from wood burning are only part of the pollution problem, but it is that part which is easily cleared up."Wood burning fireplaces can easily be replaced by a Gas burning one."

Banning Wood Burning Fireplaces should not be looked upon as taking away someone’s privilege to enjoy a roaring fire, but to be considered as an improvement of our air quality. That is what all of us are wishing for, right?

Will you therefore “please” join me and seriously consider the positive effect a ban of Wood Burning Fireplaces will have on people’s health and call your municipality to ban those polluting devices. The life you save may be your own, or that of a loved one.

Sincerely, Brie Oishi,
Port Coquitlam, B.C.