Where there's smoke, there's pollution!!!!

Source:
bclocalnews.com
Canada)
Published: October 31, 2010 6:00 AM

The Editor,

Port Coquitlam residents are invited to participate in molding a greener, futuristic view of our city.

Improving neighbourhood air quality would be a vital step to going green.

Air quality differs from one residential area to another. Poor neighbourhood air quality is noted in areas where wood-burning fireplaces exist. Fireplaces are a very uncontrolled source of air pollution, according to a professor in UBC's School of Environmental Health.

Wood smoke poses a health threat to wood stove and fireplace users and to their neighbours, states Washington State Department of Ecology. Emissions from one chimney can foul the air of all the surrounding neighbours and present health hazards.

How informed people are about these health hazards contained in wood smoke emissions is a guess. Many individuals do not relate a scratchy throat (or the "not quite feeling right") to wood-smoke. Are people aware that these symptoms could be the beginning of a serious condition related to wood-smoke emissions?

BCLA has a list of these conditions and claims that wood-smoke is linked to asthma, respiratory conditions, lung and heart problems, including cancer.

Government wants to improve air quality but has no jurisdiction over communities as far as a ban on wood-burning fireplaces is concerned; that power lies in the hands of municipal leaders.

For council and environment enhancement committee to implement a no-burning bylaw should not depend on how many people are complaining but needs to be based on the fact that too many people’s health will be affected if a ban does not take place.

Brie Oishi, Port Coquitlam


Note:Source:
bclocalnews.com
(Canada)
Published: October 31, 2010 6:00 AM