Canadian Clean Air Alliance
Who are we?
We are Canadians that have come together to fight for the right to
breathe clean air in our house, yard and neighbourhoods.
We are against residential wood smoke and odour from all wood burning appliances - stoves, fireplaces, furnaces and all outdoor burning. We are against all wood burning pollution!
Mission Statement
Our intention is to educate the public about the grave health hazards to human life and the severe effects that wood burning has on global warming. We strive to protect Canadians from the health hazards, pollution, nuisance and interruption to normal daily life from all residential wood burning smoke and odour both indoors and outside.
We are the voice that will stand up for Canadians and work towards getting bylaws and bans in place to protect all of us from this grave health hazard.
"A voice in the dark is never heard until someone listens"
http://www.canadiancleanairalliance.ca/index.html
Visit this great website!
A Mother's Plea
Thursday, December 17, 2009
A Mother’s Plea
March 10, 2009
Dear Environment Enhancement Committee Members,
Recently my daughter was diagnosed with cancer; the third episode within a decade.
She has an active life which includes plenty of fresh air and exercise, wholesome foods and she is not dependent on cigarettes or alcohol. She occupies an apartment in New Westminster and since she is a firm believer in fresh air, a window is always open.
During most of my visits during Fall, Winter or Spring, I was aware of a smoke smell which I compared to that of burning wood fireplaces so during my presence the windows would be closed because I had become sensitive to wood smoke.
About 7 months ago I decided to do research as to the harmful effects of fireplace smoke emissions on people’s health. Reading the 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 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 ask ―Is that the reason for the multitude of allergy sufferers? And, in my daughter’s case, is she a cancer victim because of wood smoke exposure for 23 years from neighbouring fireplaces?
It is my understanding that these toxic substances do penetrate dwellings even with windows closed and put people at risk.
Upon contacting the Environmental Enhancement Committee of my municipality, Port Coquitlam, I was informed that a regional approach is preferred.
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. I do understand this to 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.
Authorities will just have to take a stand on this issue, and put their foot down, so to speak.
As I have been in contact with our federal and provincial Government on this issue, their reply to me 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. It will not have a negative effect on the economy either, and wood burning fireplaces can be easily 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 striving to achieve, correct?
Will you therefore please join me and seriously consider the positive effect a ban on Wood Burning Fireplaces will have on people’s health and no longer will harm any ones child! A mother’s heart thanks you!
Brie Oishi
Port Coquitlam, B.C.
From----The Wood Smoke Activist
December Newsletter
Educating the world about the health and climate impacts of wood smoke and combustion aerosols.
Editor: Shirley Brandie
12/1/2009
March 10, 2009
Dear Environment Enhancement Committee Members,
Recently my daughter was diagnosed with cancer; the third episode within a decade.
She has an active life which includes plenty of fresh air and exercise, wholesome foods and she is not dependent on cigarettes or alcohol. She occupies an apartment in New Westminster and since she is a firm believer in fresh air, a window is always open.
During most of my visits during Fall, Winter or Spring, I was aware of a smoke smell which I compared to that of burning wood fireplaces so during my presence the windows would be closed because I had become sensitive to wood smoke.
About 7 months ago I decided to do research as to the harmful effects of fireplace smoke emissions on people’s health. Reading the 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 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 ask ―Is that the reason for the multitude of allergy sufferers? And, in my daughter’s case, is she a cancer victim because of wood smoke exposure for 23 years from neighbouring fireplaces?
It is my understanding that these toxic substances do penetrate dwellings even with windows closed and put people at risk.
Upon contacting the Environmental Enhancement Committee of my municipality, Port Coquitlam, I was informed that a regional approach is preferred.
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. I do understand this to 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.
Authorities will just have to take a stand on this issue, and put their foot down, so to speak.
As I have been in contact with our federal and provincial Government on this issue, their reply to me 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. It will not have a negative effect on the economy either, and wood burning fireplaces can be easily 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 striving to achieve, correct?
Will you therefore please join me and seriously consider the positive effect a ban on Wood Burning Fireplaces will have on people’s health and no longer will harm any ones child! A mother’s heart thanks you!
Brie Oishi
Port Coquitlam, B.C.
From----The Wood Smoke Activist
December Newsletter
Educating the world about the health and climate impacts of wood smoke and combustion aerosols.
Editor: Shirley Brandie
12/1/2009
Got Smoke?
Got Smoke?
By Dan Stih
This month’s Bozo Award goes to the Forest Service for "controlled burns". The flames might be under control but the air quality sure isn't. Do they realize they are literally killing people?
I measured 4,000,000 particles 0.3 micron in size or larger in Santa Fe during the controlled burns, a record high for me since I started using the instrument almost 10 years ago, measuring particulate levels in several states and large cities like Phoenix. Most people's air purifiers are good enough to protect people from these small particles. Studies find more people go to the hospital (some die) when small particles pass through their lungs, enter the blood stream, reach their heart and reek havoc with their body. Some die, never realizing the culprit was poor air quality.
Are controlled burns worth it? In May 2000, citizens held their breath as raging fires encroached upon the town of Los Alamos. The fires were not the result of a cigarette butt or lightning - they were set by the National Park Service. The disaster burned 47,000 acres and hundreds of homes.
If we can't quit for our own health, do it for pets. Smoke from fires is 12x worse for our health than cigarette smoke. According to Ron Davis, president of the American Medical Association "Dogs whose owners smoke are more likely to get lung cancer and cats are more likely to get feline lymphoma". Cited in Indoor Environment Connections (http://www.ieconnections.com ).
Dan Stih Author, Healthy Living Spaces: Top 10 Hazards Affecting Your Health
President, Healthy Living Spaces LLC Council-certified Microbial Consultant
Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
Board-awarded by the American Indoor Air Quality Council
Chapter Director, The Indoor Air Quality Association, Santa Fe
Healthy Living Spaces
369 Montezuma Ave #169 Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
tel: 505.992.9904
fax: 505.992.9744 email: dan@healthylivingspaces.com website: www.HealthyLivingSpaces.com
From----The Wood Smoke Activist
December Newsletter
Educating the world about the health and climate impacts of wood smoke and combustion aerosols.
Editor: Shirley Brandie
12/1/2009
By Dan Stih
This month’s Bozo Award goes to the Forest Service for "controlled burns". The flames might be under control but the air quality sure isn't. Do they realize they are literally killing people?
I measured 4,000,000 particles 0.3 micron in size or larger in Santa Fe during the controlled burns, a record high for me since I started using the instrument almost 10 years ago, measuring particulate levels in several states and large cities like Phoenix. Most people's air purifiers are good enough to protect people from these small particles. Studies find more people go to the hospital (some die) when small particles pass through their lungs, enter the blood stream, reach their heart and reek havoc with their body. Some die, never realizing the culprit was poor air quality.
Are controlled burns worth it? In May 2000, citizens held their breath as raging fires encroached upon the town of Los Alamos. The fires were not the result of a cigarette butt or lightning - they were set by the National Park Service. The disaster burned 47,000 acres and hundreds of homes.
If we can't quit for our own health, do it for pets. Smoke from fires is 12x worse for our health than cigarette smoke. According to Ron Davis, president of the American Medical Association "Dogs whose owners smoke are more likely to get lung cancer and cats are more likely to get feline lymphoma". Cited in Indoor Environment Connections (http://www.ieconnections.com ).
Dan Stih Author, Healthy Living Spaces: Top 10 Hazards Affecting Your Health
President, Healthy Living Spaces LLC Council-certified Microbial Consultant
Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
Board-awarded by the American Indoor Air Quality Council
Chapter Director, The Indoor Air Quality Association, Santa Fe
Healthy Living Spaces
369 Montezuma Ave #169 Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
tel: 505.992.9904
fax: 505.992.9744 email: dan@healthylivingspaces.com website: www.HealthyLivingSpaces.com
From----The Wood Smoke Activist
December Newsletter
Educating the world about the health and climate impacts of wood smoke and combustion aerosols.
Editor: Shirley Brandie
12/1/2009
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