Black Rose......and an Obituary-R.I.P.
The Black Rose……International Symbol of Woodsmoke Destruction
The Black Rose, the International symbol of Woodsmoke Destruction will bring attention to the eyes of the world the visual realization of the deadly impact of the suffering, death and destruction that Woodsmoke Pollution has made on our planet.
The Black Rose represents millions of lives world-wide that have died from Woodsmoke-related diseases. Adopt the Black Rose as your International symbol of suffering from World-Wide Woodsmoke pollution.
The Black Rose symbolizes the endless hours of relentless suffering endured by those who live in areas with OWBs (Outdoor Woodboilers), Woodburning fireplaces, Woodburning stoves, pellet stoves, outdoor open air burning and all biomass burning.
The Black Rose represents the black smoke from garbage, debris, painted wood, and other toxic material/wood that is burned in fire pits, fire rings, chimeneas, outdoor fireplaces and all Woodburning devices. Sadly, this continues to be sanctioned, condoned and enabled by our leaders and government everywhere.
The Black Rose symbolizes the black tires, toxic Railroad ties, C&D (construction and debris) and other deadly toxic materials that are burned in incinerators in many communities as biomass.
The Black Rose represents the toxic black soot that is found on Woodburning chimneys and the Black Carbon Soot that is destroying our precious, fragile environment.
Asthma, COPD, Cancer, Stroke, SIDs, Cardiovascular, Cardiopulmonary, respiratory and other related diseases are associated with Woodsmoke.
Demand that proactive action be taken to prohibit all Woodburning in every community. Advocate for the right and common decency for every human to be able to breathe healthy air-Woodsmoke-free.
Do not remain silent about a deadly poison that is killing you….Woodsmoke. There is no room for leaders who show complacency, apathy, uncaring, disrespect or disregard about a deadly, toxic issue such as Woodsmoke when your life is being assaulted and threatened.
Send a Black Rose to your city board members, trustees, council members, mayors, representatives, congressmen and women, President, Prime Minister, elected leaders, members of parliament, government and all others who have neglected to fulfil their fiduciary duty to protect all citizens from the deadly effects of Woodsmoke, and who have not yet taken immediate action to prohibit all Woodburning in every city and community.
Send a Black Rose on your letterhead by way of a stamp and ink pad, photo copy, fresh rose, a photo, a painting, a tinted black rose, an artificial black rose. Send IT! Share the story of the Black Rose with others world-wide. Make the Black Rose become your story!
Demand that immediate proactive action be taken by all leaders to ban all outdoor open air burning in every community. Demand that regulations be implemented to phase out the use of all Woodburning devices and biomass burning in every community.
Remember that negligent leaders are a deadly threat to your life and health. Give a Black Rose to show your disapproval of their lack of action, concern, compassion, regard, decency and moral obligation to end Woodsmoke in our world.
By: Anonymous
OBITUARY: DEATH FROM WOODSMOKE
They tried and tried to end the Woodsmoke
It ruined their life and it made them choke
It made them sad and made them weary
It left them broken and left them teary
For those who don’t believe this crime
Help for millions never came on time
Their death resulted in neglect
From the many leaders and their disrespect
They lived their dash and they lived it well
Warning others about the Woodsmoke Hell
Of Woodsmoke and its destructive tale
It’s waiting for you and will impale
Your life on its plume and toxic trail
So heed their warning and heed their call
End Woodsmoke soon for one and all
If not, you’ll end up dead of course
With great sadness and remorse
R.I.P. Death By Woodsmoke!
By: Anonymous
The "living" Obituary, written by Anonymous who is suffering and dying due to woodsmoke, should be a wake-up call to all elected officials who sit quietly, apathetically, and take no action to end woodsmoke. Elected officials who are doing nothing to end poisonous, deadly woodsmoke are leaving a legacy of inaction they should be ashamed of because they could have ended woodsmoke pollution with legislation...but, they did not!
Also, all people that are suffering from woodsmoke in their neighborhood and home should take action too, and inform their local elected officials to ban woodsmoke. Unless you take action now, many loved ones will continue to become sick, and die from woodsmoke emissions.
Showing posts with label outdoor wood boiler. Show all posts
Showing posts with label outdoor wood boiler. Show all posts
Fighting For Fresh Air
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Letter to the Editor
Tasmanian Times
1-31-11
Fighting For Fresh Air
Fighting for fresh air isn’t anything you would imagine millions would face each day in our Canadian communities. Yet, sadly that is what we do. Each day families face the toxic assault from Woodsmoke pollution in their community. Children and adults struggle daily to breathe air that is permeated and saturated with Woodsmoke emissions. The toxic cancer causing chemicals found in Woodsmoke are in the most minuscule of crevices in every home. You cannot keep Woodsmoke from entering your home. Millions suffer, many become ill and die from Woodsmoke.
In the past people also fought for their right and common decency to breathe healthy air-tobacco-smoke free. Proponents of the tobacco industry encouraged millions to smoke. The tragic results were that millions died. The legacy left behind were millions who suffered from Cancer, COPD and other tobacco related smoking diseases. We are greatly indebted to the caring souls who fought for the rights of others to see that tobacco smoking was prohibited in schools, restaurants, hospitals, planes, parks, playgrounds, and vehicles that had children in them and other venues. Millions of lives have been saved. But sadly, bans came too late for millions and millions who died.
A powerful quote from Mahatma Gandhi describes the strength it took for those who so valiantly fought for each of us to have the right to breathe air free of Tobacco smoke. “First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win”. The wise words from Mahatma Gandhi are filled with truth, courage and inspiration. These words described what activists faced then fighting for Tobacco Bans and what people face now for Woodsmoke-free air to breathe and banning Woodsmoke.
World-renowned Scientists and Doctors concur that Woodsmoke Pollution is killing us and is linked to Asthma, Cancer, COPD, SIDS, Cardiovascular, Cardiopulmonary and other diseases. Those who know the daily struggle of trying to breathe Woodsmoke filled air know that we too are being ignored. We too are being ridiculed. We too are being attacked. But, what we know is that we too will win this battle, just as it was won with Tobacco smoke being banned everywhere.
Communities across Canada must become informed, educated and concerned about the grave danger of Toxic Woodsmoke Pollution. Our leaders must recognize that ridicule is borne from ignorance and intolerance. Our leaders must adopt by-laws to ban all outdoor open air burning in every Province. Regulations must be implemented to phase out the use of all Woodburning stoves, Woodburning fireplaces, OWBs (outdoor woodboilers) and pellet stoves. New home building codes must exclude all Woodburning devices.
Fighting for fresh air must become part of our past. Being able to breathe healthy air-Woodsmoke-free must become our future. Take action today to ban Woodsmoke. Speak up. Follow the wise words of Gandhi: We will be ignored…but not for long! We will be ridiculed…but not for long! We will be assaulted…but not for long! But then, we will win!
Linda Beaudin
Cornwall, Ontario
Canada
Source:
Tasmanian Times.com
1-31-11
Tasmanian Times
1-31-11
Fighting For Fresh Air
Fighting for fresh air isn’t anything you would imagine millions would face each day in our Canadian communities. Yet, sadly that is what we do. Each day families face the toxic assault from Woodsmoke pollution in their community. Children and adults struggle daily to breathe air that is permeated and saturated with Woodsmoke emissions. The toxic cancer causing chemicals found in Woodsmoke are in the most minuscule of crevices in every home. You cannot keep Woodsmoke from entering your home. Millions suffer, many become ill and die from Woodsmoke.
In the past people also fought for their right and common decency to breathe healthy air-tobacco-smoke free. Proponents of the tobacco industry encouraged millions to smoke. The tragic results were that millions died. The legacy left behind were millions who suffered from Cancer, COPD and other tobacco related smoking diseases. We are greatly indebted to the caring souls who fought for the rights of others to see that tobacco smoking was prohibited in schools, restaurants, hospitals, planes, parks, playgrounds, and vehicles that had children in them and other venues. Millions of lives have been saved. But sadly, bans came too late for millions and millions who died.
A powerful quote from Mahatma Gandhi describes the strength it took for those who so valiantly fought for each of us to have the right to breathe air free of Tobacco smoke. “First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win”. The wise words from Mahatma Gandhi are filled with truth, courage and inspiration. These words described what activists faced then fighting for Tobacco Bans and what people face now for Woodsmoke-free air to breathe and banning Woodsmoke.
World-renowned Scientists and Doctors concur that Woodsmoke Pollution is killing us and is linked to Asthma, Cancer, COPD, SIDS, Cardiovascular, Cardiopulmonary and other diseases. Those who know the daily struggle of trying to breathe Woodsmoke filled air know that we too are being ignored. We too are being ridiculed. We too are being attacked. But, what we know is that we too will win this battle, just as it was won with Tobacco smoke being banned everywhere.
Communities across Canada must become informed, educated and concerned about the grave danger of Toxic Woodsmoke Pollution. Our leaders must recognize that ridicule is borne from ignorance and intolerance. Our leaders must adopt by-laws to ban all outdoor open air burning in every Province. Regulations must be implemented to phase out the use of all Woodburning stoves, Woodburning fireplaces, OWBs (outdoor woodboilers) and pellet stoves. New home building codes must exclude all Woodburning devices.
Fighting for fresh air must become part of our past. Being able to breathe healthy air-Woodsmoke-free must become our future. Take action today to ban Woodsmoke. Speak up. Follow the wise words of Gandhi: We will be ignored…but not for long! We will be ridiculed…but not for long! We will be assaulted…but not for long! But then, we will win!
Linda Beaudin
Cornwall, Ontario
Canada
Source:
Tasmanian Times.com
1-31-11
Other cities taking action against wood smoke
Monday, January 10, 2011
OTHER CITIES TAKING ACTION AGAINST WOOD SMOKE
Saturday, 08 January 2011
Letter to the Editor
Lethbridge Herald
Alberta, Canada
Mr. Pushor (Nov. 24) and Mr. Forster (Dec. 18), have criticized the idea that the city should ensure everyone's right to breathe fresh, wood smoke-free air, in and around their own homes. But as Robert Smith's Dec. 4 letter points out, "It is a public health issue, just like smoking."
Dr. Mark Miller of Chico, Calif., in a news article on residential wood smoke, suggests that people should care about air quality, "because this is what a community does. They consider the health of everyone." ("Doctor knows firsthand the effects of smoke on lungs," www.centerforhealthreporting.org)
Numerous government, health, and air-quality organizations, including the Lung Association, explain that wood smoke contains harmful pollutants like fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins and furans, formaldehyde and acrolein. Even with air filters and closed windows, it can make the air seriously unhealthy, in the backyards, living rooms, and children's bedrooms, of nearby tobacco smoke-free homes.
An Internet search can also explain why some places have begun taking action. In the Wood Burning section of its official website, the City of Fort Collins, Colo., informs citizens: "The city recommends that you avoid using your fireplace or wood stove to protect the health of yourself and your neighbors." The city of Elmira, New York, is an example of places that protect the health and safety of residents, by prohibiting fire pits that are wood burning.
Residents of some California counties were asked to avoid burning wood this past Christmas, in order "to give the gift of clean air." ("Please don't burn wood this weekend, Bay Area air quality officials advise," www.mercurynews.com)
In 2009, Montreal banned new installations of wood stoves. I'd like to suggest that a bylaw like this could be, along with a ban on the recreational pollution of outdoor burning, an achievable way for our own city to prevent added smoke emissions, while aiming further to provide equally full protection, for all Lethbridge residents.
Hampstead, Que., set a high standard in 2008, with a strong bylaw banning wood-burning appliances. The town's mayor, William Steinberg, has expressed confidence that other communities will follow Hampstead's lead. ("Hampstead ban a burning issue--and a good call," www.themonitor.ca)
I remain hopeful that Lethbridge will become a leader on this issue, too.
Cathy Baiton
Lethbridge
Saturday, 08 January 2011
Letter to the Editor
Lethbridge Herald
Alberta, Canada
Mr. Pushor (Nov. 24) and Mr. Forster (Dec. 18), have criticized the idea that the city should ensure everyone's right to breathe fresh, wood smoke-free air, in and around their own homes. But as Robert Smith's Dec. 4 letter points out, "It is a public health issue, just like smoking."
Dr. Mark Miller of Chico, Calif., in a news article on residential wood smoke, suggests that people should care about air quality, "because this is what a community does. They consider the health of everyone." ("Doctor knows firsthand the effects of smoke on lungs," www.centerforhealthreporting.org)
Numerous government, health, and air-quality organizations, including the Lung Association, explain that wood smoke contains harmful pollutants like fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins and furans, formaldehyde and acrolein. Even with air filters and closed windows, it can make the air seriously unhealthy, in the backyards, living rooms, and children's bedrooms, of nearby tobacco smoke-free homes.
An Internet search can also explain why some places have begun taking action. In the Wood Burning section of its official website, the City of Fort Collins, Colo., informs citizens: "The city recommends that you avoid using your fireplace or wood stove to protect the health of yourself and your neighbors." The city of Elmira, New York, is an example of places that protect the health and safety of residents, by prohibiting fire pits that are wood burning.
Residents of some California counties were asked to avoid burning wood this past Christmas, in order "to give the gift of clean air." ("Please don't burn wood this weekend, Bay Area air quality officials advise," www.mercurynews.com)
In 2009, Montreal banned new installations of wood stoves. I'd like to suggest that a bylaw like this could be, along with a ban on the recreational pollution of outdoor burning, an achievable way for our own city to prevent added smoke emissions, while aiming further to provide equally full protection, for all Lethbridge residents.
Hampstead, Que., set a high standard in 2008, with a strong bylaw banning wood-burning appliances. The town's mayor, William Steinberg, has expressed confidence that other communities will follow Hampstead's lead. ("Hampstead ban a burning issue--and a good call," www.themonitor.ca)
I remain hopeful that Lethbridge will become a leader on this issue, too.
Cathy Baiton
Lethbridge
Press Release Source: Environment and Human Health, Inc.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Press Release Source: Environment and Human Health, Inc.
Monday October 25, 2010, 12:00 pm EDT
WOODBRIDGE, Conn., Oct. 25, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Environment and Human Health, Inc.'s (EHHI) newly released report, The Dangers from Outdoor Wood Furnaces, shows that current regulations for outdoor wood furnaces (OWFs) are not sufficient to protect human health.
Wood smoke contains many of the same toxic compounds that are found in cigarette smoke. Just a few of them include benzene, formaldehyde, and 1,3-butadiene, all three of which are carcinogenic.
Currently, some states have OWF "set-back" regulations of 100 feet, others have "set-backs" of 200 feet and some states have no regulations at all.
EHHI measured two particle sizes found by EPA to be contained in wood smoke and designated to be the most dangerous to human health. These particles are PM 2.5 and PM 0.5.
The study showed that a house 100 feet from an OWF had 14 times the levels of PM 2.5 as houses not near an outdoor wood furnace and 9 times the levels of the EPA air standards.
A house 120 feet from an OWF had over 8 times the levels of PM 2.5 as the houses not near an outdoor wood furnace, and 6 times the levels of the EPA air standards.
A house 240 feet from OWF had 12 times the levels of PM 2.5 as the houses not near an outdoor wood furnace and 8 times the levels of the EPA air standards.
And a house as far away as 850 feet from OWF had 6 times the levels of PM 2.5 as the houses not near an outdoor wood furnace and 4 times the levels of the EPA air standards.
High levels were present in every 24-hour period tested inside homes neighboring outdoor wood furnaces. All houses tested had particulate exposures well above the EPA ambient air quality standard. Levels of PM 2.5 that exceed the EPA standards are associated with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) attacks and hospitalizations, and are also associated with increased risk of cardiac attacks.
Particles of wood smoke are so small that windows and doors cannot keep smoke out. A study by the University of Washington, Seattle, showed that 50 to 70 percent of outdoor wood smoke entered homes that were not burning wood.
Because wood smoke particles are so small, they are not filtered out by the nose or the upper respiratory system. Instead, these small particles end up deep in the lungs where they can cause structural damage and chemical changes. Carcinogenic chemicals and wood smoke irritants adhere to the small particles and enter the deep, sensitive regions of the lungs where toxic injury is high.
Public Health Toxicologist David Brown, Sc.D., an expert in wood smoke, says, "Some of the health effects reported to EHHI include awakening at night with coughing, headaches, inability to catch breath, continual sore throats, bronchitis and colds requiring children to stay home from school. In some cases the breathing difficulty has gone into asthma attacks requiring emergency-room treatment. Even episodes of short-term exposures to extreme levels of fine particulates from wood smoke and other sources, for periods as short as two hours, can produce significant adverse health effects."
Oncologist D. Barry Boyd, MD, says, "In addition to the fine particulate matter, wood smoke contains a number of organic compounds that are potential or recognized carcinogens. Exposure over time may raise the risk not only of chronic lung disease but also of lung cancer. As well, wood smoke interferes with normal lung development in infants and children. It increases children's risk of lower respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Wood smoke exposure can depress the immune system and damage the layer of cells in the lungs that protect and cleanse the airways."
Outdoor wood furnaces create emissions different from either fireplaces or indoor wood stoves. The Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) found that the average fine particle emissions from one OWF are equivalent to the emissions from 22 EPA-certified indoor wood stoves, 205 oil furnaces or as many as 8,000 natural gas furnaces.
The short-term health effects of wood smoke exposures are burning eyes and throat, sinusitis, bronchitis and pneumonia.
The long-term health effects are asthma, COPD, cancer, cardiovascular problems and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Dawn Mays-Hardy of the American Lung Association, New England, says, "Because wood smoke has many of the same components as cigarette smoke, and because wood smoke emissions from outdoor wood furnaces are so thick and pervasive for all those who live near them, American Lung sees them as dangerous to health."
President of Environment and Human Health, Inc. Nancy Alderman says, "EHHI has now shown that wood smoke from outdoor wood furnaces enters neighboring houses in high enough amounts to cause serious health impacts to these families. States can no longer ignore this science and should ban outdoor wood furnaces until safer technologies are found."
For seeing or downloading the full report go to http://ehhi.org
The Environment and Human Health, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7516
Monday October 25, 2010, 12:00 pm EDT
WOODBRIDGE, Conn., Oct. 25, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Environment and Human Health, Inc.'s (EHHI) newly released report, The Dangers from Outdoor Wood Furnaces, shows that current regulations for outdoor wood furnaces (OWFs) are not sufficient to protect human health.
Wood smoke contains many of the same toxic compounds that are found in cigarette smoke. Just a few of them include benzene, formaldehyde, and 1,3-butadiene, all three of which are carcinogenic.
Currently, some states have OWF "set-back" regulations of 100 feet, others have "set-backs" of 200 feet and some states have no regulations at all.
EHHI measured two particle sizes found by EPA to be contained in wood smoke and designated to be the most dangerous to human health. These particles are PM 2.5 and PM 0.5.
The study showed that a house 100 feet from an OWF had 14 times the levels of PM 2.5 as houses not near an outdoor wood furnace and 9 times the levels of the EPA air standards.
A house 120 feet from an OWF had over 8 times the levels of PM 2.5 as the houses not near an outdoor wood furnace, and 6 times the levels of the EPA air standards.
A house 240 feet from OWF had 12 times the levels of PM 2.5 as the houses not near an outdoor wood furnace and 8 times the levels of the EPA air standards.
And a house as far away as 850 feet from OWF had 6 times the levels of PM 2.5 as the houses not near an outdoor wood furnace and 4 times the levels of the EPA air standards.
High levels were present in every 24-hour period tested inside homes neighboring outdoor wood furnaces. All houses tested had particulate exposures well above the EPA ambient air quality standard. Levels of PM 2.5 that exceed the EPA standards are associated with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) attacks and hospitalizations, and are also associated with increased risk of cardiac attacks.
Particles of wood smoke are so small that windows and doors cannot keep smoke out. A study by the University of Washington, Seattle, showed that 50 to 70 percent of outdoor wood smoke entered homes that were not burning wood.
Because wood smoke particles are so small, they are not filtered out by the nose or the upper respiratory system. Instead, these small particles end up deep in the lungs where they can cause structural damage and chemical changes. Carcinogenic chemicals and wood smoke irritants adhere to the small particles and enter the deep, sensitive regions of the lungs where toxic injury is high.
Public Health Toxicologist David Brown, Sc.D., an expert in wood smoke, says, "Some of the health effects reported to EHHI include awakening at night with coughing, headaches, inability to catch breath, continual sore throats, bronchitis and colds requiring children to stay home from school. In some cases the breathing difficulty has gone into asthma attacks requiring emergency-room treatment. Even episodes of short-term exposures to extreme levels of fine particulates from wood smoke and other sources, for periods as short as two hours, can produce significant adverse health effects."
Oncologist D. Barry Boyd, MD, says, "In addition to the fine particulate matter, wood smoke contains a number of organic compounds that are potential or recognized carcinogens. Exposure over time may raise the risk not only of chronic lung disease but also of lung cancer. As well, wood smoke interferes with normal lung development in infants and children. It increases children's risk of lower respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Wood smoke exposure can depress the immune system and damage the layer of cells in the lungs that protect and cleanse the airways."
Outdoor wood furnaces create emissions different from either fireplaces or indoor wood stoves. The Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) found that the average fine particle emissions from one OWF are equivalent to the emissions from 22 EPA-certified indoor wood stoves, 205 oil furnaces or as many as 8,000 natural gas furnaces.
The short-term health effects of wood smoke exposures are burning eyes and throat, sinusitis, bronchitis and pneumonia.
The long-term health effects are asthma, COPD, cancer, cardiovascular problems and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Dawn Mays-Hardy of the American Lung Association, New England, says, "Because wood smoke has many of the same components as cigarette smoke, and because wood smoke emissions from outdoor wood furnaces are so thick and pervasive for all those who live near them, American Lung sees them as dangerous to health."
President of Environment and Human Health, Inc. Nancy Alderman says, "EHHI has now shown that wood smoke from outdoor wood furnaces enters neighboring houses in high enough amounts to cause serious health impacts to these families. States can no longer ignore this science and should ban outdoor wood furnaces until safer technologies are found."
For seeing or downloading the full report go to http://ehhi.org
The Environment and Human Health, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7516
BARRIE CITY COUNCIL SAYS NO BAN-BUT PEOPLE SAY WE WANT BAN!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Note...The city of Barrie, Ontario, Canada, recently said NO to banning outdoor open air burns. Mostly these outdoor open air burns were fueled by wood. Woodsmoke saturated air aimlessly drifts over all the residents of Barrie everyday. But, many Barrie residents are saying...enough is enough. Ban ALL outdoor open air burns..NOW!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From the Barrie Examiner:
April 15, 2010
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Fires not fun for neighbours
Posted By
Posted 8 hours ago
(Re: "Shut your windows," in the April 10 edition of the Examiner)
Chimineas should have been banned two years ago when the first debate in council was held.
I lobbied my Ward 7 councillor (John Brassard) in this regard, to no avail.
Thank you to Alex Harvey and Jennifer Mills for their common sense approach to this nuisance and health concern.
Coun. Lynn Strachan, thank you for your concerns, as well. Keep it going.
What mentality needs to light a fire when the humidex is in the high 30s to 40s, the air quality is dangerously high and we are asked to keep our air conditioners at a minimum due to hydro consumption at a peak.
Not to mention sparks flying on top of neighbouring roofs.
To Sue Watson I say: "I may have to keep my windows closed, but I will never shut my mouth (as suggested by you in your letter) as long as my taxes are paid and the Canadian flag flies in my country."
If you want to pollute the air and cause your neighbours distress, then by all means move to the bush.
People living on 30-and 40- foot lots should not be allowed to light fires for any reason. Cook your hot dogs on the stove in your kitchen.
To Daryl Bradshaw, I am so thankful that I live in a city knowing there are firefighters at the ready if I need them. I have lived in Barrie for 48 years and have never seen fire trucks driving around aimlessly.
Hopefully, city councillors can make a decision for a change and ban these health hazards once and for all.
Why it has to go on for another two years is extremely poor judgment.
Doris Falkeisen Barrie
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Looking for relief from the smoke
Posted By
Posted 8 hours ago
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
(Re: "Chiminea group fighting for freedom," in the April 8 edition of the Examiner)
We have been all through this with cigarette smoking -- freedom to poison the air of others.
My wife and I, in our seventies, have spent many evenings the last three years unable to enjoy our backyard due to heavy smoke pollution from neighbours enjoying their campfires.
On the hottest, stillest nights, we have been forced to keep our windows shut, overheated from the day's sunshine, and still the smoke penetrates into our home.
My wife is on medication and puffers for lung congestion, and after spending eight hours from eight o'clock in the evening, to three o'clock in the morning breathing in the toxic fumes, she spends the next several days with a terrible cough and throat congestion.
The smoke bothers me as well, as both of us must use unscented soaps and cleaning fluids.
The provincial and federal governments have information related to wood-burning smoke that details particulates and cancer-causing chemicals released in the smoke. As well, burning wood produces tons of carbon dioxide that the experts tell us is causing global warming.
Breathing in this smoke is extremely unhealthy for yourselves, your children, and your neighbours.
This city has banned burning leaves in the fall due to pollution, banned smoking around others for health reasons, and should not allow wood smoke to be forced into our lungs.
We require the freedom to enjoy clean air, to be able to enjoy our backyard every summer night, and to be able to sleep comfortably at night with our windows wide open for clean, fresh air.
There is a better way to enjoy a backyard fire.
There are gas outdoor fire places available that do not harm the health of others, and are safe for all to use.
Gary Taylor Barrie Barrie
+++++++++++++++++
City should ban chimineas right now
Posted By
Posted 5 days ago
Letter to the Editor
(Re: "Chiminea ban the last straw" in April 3 edition of the Examiner)
Regarding Steve Chapman's letter concerning the ban of chiminea backyard appliances.
I just want to say that I wish the City of Barrie would ban them immediately instead of making me suffer two more seasons with those smelly, smoking firepits, until 2012. I wrote a previous letter concerning these backyard fire contraptions and the health issues associated with burning wood. Not only did I mention the health aspect, but also the cost to the taxpayers of Barrie to attend all the false fire calls. The City of Barrie issued 4,500 permits for these devices and every night in the spring, summer, or fall I have to suffer breathing thick smoke in my townhouse, or I have to shut every window in my house.
I am upset these chimineas were allowed to be used in Barrie in the first place.
At least towns like Newmarket were smart enough to ban them before the problem started.
If the people in Barrie want backyard cookouts over a wood fire, let them go rent a campsite and let us breathe clean air.
Alex Harvey Barrie
++++++++++++++++++
No chiminea ban means gas masks
Posted By
Posted 42 mins ago
April 16, 2010
I am very disappointed that Barrie City Council decided not to ban chimineas totally and forever. If my councillor voted to keep these smelly backyard chimineas, he will never get my vote again.
You reported that there were 202 calls for fire assistance for these chimineas in 2009 and that 10% of the calls were to the same address. Well, that makes at least 20 calls to the same address at $450 a visit. I would charge the homeowner of this property the $9,000 he owes the taxpayers of Barrie or put it on his next municipal tax bill. The fire chief of Barrie should stand up and demand that these chimineas be banned, now. Look at what these chimineas have done to our neighbourhood.
Now we have neighbours yelling and fighting with each other. With chimineas come the alcohol, loud music, cigarette and pot smoke, and loud voices. I'm moving to Newmarket if Barrie does not ban chimineas . The mayor of Barrie does not get my support either. Does anybody know where I can buy a good respirator or gas mask? I'm going to need one now that chimineas are not banned.
Margaret Swanson Barrie
Webmaster comment to above letter by Ms. Swanson. In addition to chimineas, you also want all outdoor open air burns banned. This includes outdoor wood boilers (OWB), wood burning fire pits, fireplaces, fire pots, fire rings, etc.
++++++++++++++
Webmaster---The City of Barrie needs to hear these pleas. It is time to ban all outdoor open air burns...NOW!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From the Barrie Examiner:
April 15, 2010
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Fires not fun for neighbours
Posted By
Posted 8 hours ago
(Re: "Shut your windows," in the April 10 edition of the Examiner)
Chimineas should have been banned two years ago when the first debate in council was held.
I lobbied my Ward 7 councillor (John Brassard) in this regard, to no avail.
Thank you to Alex Harvey and Jennifer Mills for their common sense approach to this nuisance and health concern.
Coun. Lynn Strachan, thank you for your concerns, as well. Keep it going.
What mentality needs to light a fire when the humidex is in the high 30s to 40s, the air quality is dangerously high and we are asked to keep our air conditioners at a minimum due to hydro consumption at a peak.
Not to mention sparks flying on top of neighbouring roofs.
To Sue Watson I say: "I may have to keep my windows closed, but I will never shut my mouth (as suggested by you in your letter) as long as my taxes are paid and the Canadian flag flies in my country."
If you want to pollute the air and cause your neighbours distress, then by all means move to the bush.
People living on 30-and 40- foot lots should not be allowed to light fires for any reason. Cook your hot dogs on the stove in your kitchen.
To Daryl Bradshaw, I am so thankful that I live in a city knowing there are firefighters at the ready if I need them. I have lived in Barrie for 48 years and have never seen fire trucks driving around aimlessly.
Hopefully, city councillors can make a decision for a change and ban these health hazards once and for all.
Why it has to go on for another two years is extremely poor judgment.
Doris Falkeisen Barrie
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Looking for relief from the smoke
Posted By
Posted 8 hours ago
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
(Re: "Chiminea group fighting for freedom," in the April 8 edition of the Examiner)
We have been all through this with cigarette smoking -- freedom to poison the air of others.
My wife and I, in our seventies, have spent many evenings the last three years unable to enjoy our backyard due to heavy smoke pollution from neighbours enjoying their campfires.
On the hottest, stillest nights, we have been forced to keep our windows shut, overheated from the day's sunshine, and still the smoke penetrates into our home.
My wife is on medication and puffers for lung congestion, and after spending eight hours from eight o'clock in the evening, to three o'clock in the morning breathing in the toxic fumes, she spends the next several days with a terrible cough and throat congestion.
The smoke bothers me as well, as both of us must use unscented soaps and cleaning fluids.
The provincial and federal governments have information related to wood-burning smoke that details particulates and cancer-causing chemicals released in the smoke. As well, burning wood produces tons of carbon dioxide that the experts tell us is causing global warming.
Breathing in this smoke is extremely unhealthy for yourselves, your children, and your neighbours.
This city has banned burning leaves in the fall due to pollution, banned smoking around others for health reasons, and should not allow wood smoke to be forced into our lungs.
We require the freedom to enjoy clean air, to be able to enjoy our backyard every summer night, and to be able to sleep comfortably at night with our windows wide open for clean, fresh air.
There is a better way to enjoy a backyard fire.
There are gas outdoor fire places available that do not harm the health of others, and are safe for all to use.
Gary Taylor Barrie Barrie
+++++++++++++++++
City should ban chimineas right now
Posted By
Posted 5 days ago
Letter to the Editor
(Re: "Chiminea ban the last straw" in April 3 edition of the Examiner)
Regarding Steve Chapman's letter concerning the ban of chiminea backyard appliances.
I just want to say that I wish the City of Barrie would ban them immediately instead of making me suffer two more seasons with those smelly, smoking firepits, until 2012. I wrote a previous letter concerning these backyard fire contraptions and the health issues associated with burning wood. Not only did I mention the health aspect, but also the cost to the taxpayers of Barrie to attend all the false fire calls. The City of Barrie issued 4,500 permits for these devices and every night in the spring, summer, or fall I have to suffer breathing thick smoke in my townhouse, or I have to shut every window in my house.
I am upset these chimineas were allowed to be used in Barrie in the first place.
At least towns like Newmarket were smart enough to ban them before the problem started.
If the people in Barrie want backyard cookouts over a wood fire, let them go rent a campsite and let us breathe clean air.
Alex Harvey Barrie
++++++++++++++++++
No chiminea ban means gas masks
Posted By
Posted 42 mins ago
April 16, 2010
I am very disappointed that Barrie City Council decided not to ban chimineas totally and forever. If my councillor voted to keep these smelly backyard chimineas, he will never get my vote again.
You reported that there were 202 calls for fire assistance for these chimineas in 2009 and that 10% of the calls were to the same address. Well, that makes at least 20 calls to the same address at $450 a visit. I would charge the homeowner of this property the $9,000 he owes the taxpayers of Barrie or put it on his next municipal tax bill. The fire chief of Barrie should stand up and demand that these chimineas be banned, now. Look at what these chimineas have done to our neighbourhood.
Now we have neighbours yelling and fighting with each other. With chimineas come the alcohol, loud music, cigarette and pot smoke, and loud voices. I'm moving to Newmarket if Barrie does not ban chimineas . The mayor of Barrie does not get my support either. Does anybody know where I can buy a good respirator or gas mask? I'm going to need one now that chimineas are not banned.
Margaret Swanson Barrie
Webmaster comment to above letter by Ms. Swanson. In addition to chimineas, you also want all outdoor open air burns banned. This includes outdoor wood boilers (OWB), wood burning fire pits, fireplaces, fire pots, fire rings, etc.
++++++++++++++
Webmaster---The City of Barrie needs to hear these pleas. It is time to ban all outdoor open air burns...NOW!
Judge prohibits outdoor wood boiler
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Judge prohibits outdoor wood boiler in Henrietta Township dispute
by Fredricka Paul | Jackson Citizen Patriot
Friday May 22, 2009, 11:23 PM
A lengthy dispute between Henrietta Township neighbors was resolved this week, resulting in one family not being allowed to use an outdoor wood boiler.
Circuit Court Judge Chad Schmucker ruled that Richard and Julia Cady cannot use the wood boiler, which he believes was a nuisance and health hazard to neighbors.
The Cadys represented themselves in the civil trial in which they were sued by the Jackson County Health Department.
Wood boilers, increasingly popular in rural areas as energy costs rise, transfer heat through water lines from an outside structure to a home for both space and water heating.
The judge also prohibited Cady from incinerating trash, debris and other materials in backyard burn barrels.
Schmucker said the Cadys did not break any laws and that the boiler was properly installed but produces smoke, which can be a nuisance to neighbors.
Richard Soldano, 53, testified he started having headaches in 2003, before Cady built his home, because Cady frequently burned garbage in barrels on his property.
Since then, he's had chest pain and trouble breathing after being outside when the wood boiler is operating.
Soldano's wife has had a chronic cough, and Soldano said he has asthma and a chronic lung condition. Doctors have attributed the conditions to smoke inhalation and warned against the dangers of breathing smoke.
"We are very pleased. It is what we asked the court to do," said Bob Grover, the lawyer for the health department. "I hope it finally resolves problems between neighbors that have been going on for five to six years. I am not optimistic, but hopeful."
— Reporter Danielle Quisenberry contributed to this report.
by Fredricka Paul | Jackson Citizen Patriot
Friday May 22, 2009, 11:23 PM
A lengthy dispute between Henrietta Township neighbors was resolved this week, resulting in one family not being allowed to use an outdoor wood boiler.
Circuit Court Judge Chad Schmucker ruled that Richard and Julia Cady cannot use the wood boiler, which he believes was a nuisance and health hazard to neighbors.
The Cadys represented themselves in the civil trial in which they were sued by the Jackson County Health Department.
Wood boilers, increasingly popular in rural areas as energy costs rise, transfer heat through water lines from an outside structure to a home for both space and water heating.
The judge also prohibited Cady from incinerating trash, debris and other materials in backyard burn barrels.
Schmucker said the Cadys did not break any laws and that the boiler was properly installed but produces smoke, which can be a nuisance to neighbors.
Richard Soldano, 53, testified he started having headaches in 2003, before Cady built his home, because Cady frequently burned garbage in barrels on his property.
Since then, he's had chest pain and trouble breathing after being outside when the wood boiler is operating.
Soldano's wife has had a chronic cough, and Soldano said he has asthma and a chronic lung condition. Doctors have attributed the conditions to smoke inhalation and warned against the dangers of breathing smoke.
"We are very pleased. It is what we asked the court to do," said Bob Grover, the lawyer for the health department. "I hope it finally resolves problems between neighbors that have been going on for five to six years. I am not optimistic, but hopeful."
— Reporter Danielle Quisenberry contributed to this report.
Letter to New York Times
Saturday, February 28, 2009
This is the letter that was sent to the New York Times regarding this article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/26/garden/26firepit.html?ref=garden
Regarding the article by Kimberly Stevens,
The statement "outdoor fireplaces offer an inexpensive and low-maintenance way to extend living and social spaces outdoors, especially at night when the mercury drops." perhaps should have been omitted as it leads to the notion that having an outdoor fireplace shows elegance in your way of living. This may encourage those, that cannot afford what Doug Armstrong and Maureen FitzPatrick have done, to do something along the same idea and use wood as fuel.
Poor air quality and pollution is a serious problem that requires the cooperation and effort of everyone. Just 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.
Wood smoke is chemically active in the body 40 times longer than tobacco smoke and contains 12 times the amount of carcinogens and is more likely to cause cancer than the same amount of tobacco smoke, according to J. Lewtas-USEPA.
Fireplaces are ineffective in heating a home, and only a few hours of wood burning in a single home can drastically raise fine particle concentrations in dozens of surrounding homes throughout the neighbourhood. None of us are protected from this toxic smoke.
Burning wood and allowing it to foul the air of your neighbors is a rude and unnecessary assault on their senses. It causes many people, especially the young, the elderly and those with respiratory problems to be put in great physical danger.
I’ve had people tell me that they believe wood burning is safe as our forefathers heated that way. My response to them is that our forefathers had no other options. Also, many of them died at a very early age of ‘undetermined’ causes. Today, we know that some of those premature deaths most likely were from inhaling particulate matter, leading to various conditions that can result in death.
Burning wood is a costly and filthy affront to all that are invaded by it. Exposure to the smoke is extremely uncomfortable and causes burning eyes, dry and sore throat, irritation of the nasal passages, cardiovascular system damage, causes some types of cancer and brain damage, headaches, and allergic reactions, among other symptoms.
When smoke is prevalent in the area, people cannot open their windows for fresh air, because there is none. They cannot enjoy their own property due to the stench. Everyone should be able to relax in their own homes without the fear that they are being contaminated by toxic smoke. It is an environmental right of all people.
I can tell you first-hand what it is like when one is forced to deal with a smoke issue, as I have lived through it. Our ordeal began in 2002, when a neighbour began using a wood stove. We finally were forced from our home, by the smoke, for nearly 8 months. We now have an Interlocutory Injunction that was obtained in May of 2005 , after which we returned home to begin the cleanup and sanitization of the entire house. An expensive and exhausting mission.
I can tell you that the stench permeates your entire home, your clothing, your hair, and you can even taste it. Exposure to the smoke was extremely uncomfortable and caused burning eyes, dry throat, irritation of the nasal passages and headaches. When the smoke stopped, so did the symptoms.
There was no relief by opening windows because the acrid smells were like a fog covering our house. Buying expensive air cleaners did nothing to remove the odors.
There was no enjoying the deck and yard as long as the wood burning stove was in operation.
We were fortunate enough to have the means to seek legal help. There were no authorities that were of any help in getting the smoke stopped. What would happen to those that cannot afford legal help? Would they be forced to move out of their homes? Could they afford to do that? Would they be able to sell their home when a potential buyer saw or smelled the smoke? Or, would they have to remain in their homes with their children and become sick? It's a thought that is very disturbing to me.
I think it is high time that all municipalities give some thought to banning all wood burning in residential areas. Some have already begun to do just that! I fail to see how the public interest is served by permitting the unnecessary fouling of the air we all have the need to breathe.
Please do all you can to prevent environmental and health problems for everyone today and for future generations. There are many people currently dealing with wood burners that just will not stop burning until taken to court. This is a lengthy and expensive procedure that punishes, even further, the innocent victim of the wood smoke who has been suffering for some time already with the loss of the enjoyment of their property and the health effects of the smoke that filters into their home.
If laws were in place to ban wood burning the world would be a healthier place for all of us!
For more information, please go to www.woodburnersmoke.net and www.burningissues.org
Shirley Brandie
Canadian Regional Director Clean Air Revival, Inc.
http://burningissues.org
http://woodburnersmoke.net
Regarding the article by Kimberly Stevens,
The statement "outdoor fireplaces offer an inexpensive and low-maintenance way to extend living and social spaces outdoors, especially at night when the mercury drops." perhaps should have been omitted as it leads to the notion that having an outdoor fireplace shows elegance in your way of living. This may encourage those, that cannot afford what Doug Armstrong and Maureen FitzPatrick have done, to do something along the same idea and use wood as fuel.
Poor air quality and pollution is a serious problem that requires the cooperation and effort of everyone. Just 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.
Wood smoke is chemically active in the body 40 times longer than tobacco smoke and contains 12 times the amount of carcinogens and is more likely to cause cancer than the same amount of tobacco smoke, according to J. Lewtas-USEPA.
Fireplaces are ineffective in heating a home, and only a few hours of wood burning in a single home can drastically raise fine particle concentrations in dozens of surrounding homes throughout the neighbourhood. None of us are protected from this toxic smoke.
Burning wood and allowing it to foul the air of your neighbors is a rude and unnecessary assault on their senses. It causes many people, especially the young, the elderly and those with respiratory problems to be put in great physical danger.
I’ve had people tell me that they believe wood burning is safe as our forefathers heated that way. My response to them is that our forefathers had no other options. Also, many of them died at a very early age of ‘undetermined’ causes. Today, we know that some of those premature deaths most likely were from inhaling particulate matter, leading to various conditions that can result in death.
Burning wood is a costly and filthy affront to all that are invaded by it. Exposure to the smoke is extremely uncomfortable and causes burning eyes, dry and sore throat, irritation of the nasal passages, cardiovascular system damage, causes some types of cancer and brain damage, headaches, and allergic reactions, among other symptoms.
When smoke is prevalent in the area, people cannot open their windows for fresh air, because there is none. They cannot enjoy their own property due to the stench. Everyone should be able to relax in their own homes without the fear that they are being contaminated by toxic smoke. It is an environmental right of all people.
I can tell you first-hand what it is like when one is forced to deal with a smoke issue, as I have lived through it. Our ordeal began in 2002, when a neighbour began using a wood stove. We finally were forced from our home, by the smoke, for nearly 8 months. We now have an Interlocutory Injunction that was obtained in May of 2005 , after which we returned home to begin the cleanup and sanitization of the entire house. An expensive and exhausting mission.
I can tell you that the stench permeates your entire home, your clothing, your hair, and you can even taste it. Exposure to the smoke was extremely uncomfortable and caused burning eyes, dry throat, irritation of the nasal passages and headaches. When the smoke stopped, so did the symptoms.
There was no relief by opening windows because the acrid smells were like a fog covering our house. Buying expensive air cleaners did nothing to remove the odors.
There was no enjoying the deck and yard as long as the wood burning stove was in operation.
We were fortunate enough to have the means to seek legal help. There were no authorities that were of any help in getting the smoke stopped. What would happen to those that cannot afford legal help? Would they be forced to move out of their homes? Could they afford to do that? Would they be able to sell their home when a potential buyer saw or smelled the smoke? Or, would they have to remain in their homes with their children and become sick? It's a thought that is very disturbing to me.
I think it is high time that all municipalities give some thought to banning all wood burning in residential areas. Some have already begun to do just that! I fail to see how the public interest is served by permitting the unnecessary fouling of the air we all have the need to breathe.
Please do all you can to prevent environmental and health problems for everyone today and for future generations. There are many people currently dealing with wood burners that just will not stop burning until taken to court. This is a lengthy and expensive procedure that punishes, even further, the innocent victim of the wood smoke who has been suffering for some time already with the loss of the enjoyment of their property and the health effects of the smoke that filters into their home.
If laws were in place to ban wood burning the world would be a healthier place for all of us!
For more information, please go to www.woodburnersmoke.net and www.burningissues.org
Shirley Brandie
Canadian Regional Director Clean Air Revival, Inc.
http://burningissues.org
http://woodburnersmoke.net
An Ohio state senator’s letter supporting Outdoor Wood Boilers
Thursday, September 11, 2008
The Times-Gazette
Hillsboro, Ohio
September 9, 2008
Re: An Ohio state senator’s letter supporting Outdoor Wood Boilers
And a response…..
Posted: Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Article comment by: mary smith
Senator Carey needs to have an OWB next to his house so he can experience 24/7 OWB smoke exposure first hand. You can't fully understand what you haven't personally experienced. And to use the argument that "Many Ohioans have invested thousands of dollars to install wood boilers..." doesn't acknowledge that the OWB neighbors have also spent thousands of dollars on their gas or oil heating systems and on purchasing their properties. OWB smoke drifting across a property line is trespass. OWB smoke is thick, heavy and toxic and creates a public health hazard. That nice wood smoke smell is caused by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are known human carcinogens. The Ohio legislature needs to understand that OWB emissions exceed what existing Ohio EPA air pollution laws allow for visible emissions, particulates and toxic air emissions, and no person should have to tolerate smoke constantly in their homes and on their property. Ohio legislators need to learn that OWB smoke contains unhealthy levels of toxic air pollutants. Just 'cause we've burned wood for thousands of years doesn't mean that it's harmless. Remember, we used to make our water pipes out of lead 'cause we didn't know any better. We used to cover our houses in asbestos 'cause we didn't know any better. We used to fill our teeth with mercury 'cause we didn't know any better. We know better than to force people to live in a cloud of toxic wood smoke. Even a 2-year old will get out of the way of smoke. But, you can't get your house out of the way when the OWB is next door.
Web master comment---we agree!
Hillsboro, Ohio
September 9, 2008
Re: An Ohio state senator’s letter supporting Outdoor Wood Boilers
And a response…..
Posted: Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Article comment by: mary smith
Senator Carey needs to have an OWB next to his house so he can experience 24/7 OWB smoke exposure first hand. You can't fully understand what you haven't personally experienced. And to use the argument that "Many Ohioans have invested thousands of dollars to install wood boilers..." doesn't acknowledge that the OWB neighbors have also spent thousands of dollars on their gas or oil heating systems and on purchasing their properties. OWB smoke drifting across a property line is trespass. OWB smoke is thick, heavy and toxic and creates a public health hazard. That nice wood smoke smell is caused by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are known human carcinogens. The Ohio legislature needs to understand that OWB emissions exceed what existing Ohio EPA air pollution laws allow for visible emissions, particulates and toxic air emissions, and no person should have to tolerate smoke constantly in their homes and on their property. Ohio legislators need to learn that OWB smoke contains unhealthy levels of toxic air pollutants. Just 'cause we've burned wood for thousands of years doesn't mean that it's harmless. Remember, we used to make our water pipes out of lead 'cause we didn't know any better. We used to cover our houses in asbestos 'cause we didn't know any better. We used to fill our teeth with mercury 'cause we didn't know any better. We know better than to force people to live in a cloud of toxic wood smoke. Even a 2-year old will get out of the way of smoke. But, you can't get your house out of the way when the OWB is next door.
Web master comment---we agree!
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