Monthly Archives: February 2018
Health Effects of Wood Smoke
Wood smoke contains a number of hazardous chemical substances such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dioxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (including potential carcinogens such as benzo[a]pyrene), and inhalable particulate matter (PM). The chemical composition and quantity of contaminants emitted depends on how the wood is burned. Conditions that burn wood as completely as possible, not only produce the most usable energy, but also emit the least smoke. In general, more energy efficient wood burning appliances produce less of these hazardous air pollutants. Particulate matter goes deep into the lungs One of the biggest human health threats from wood smoke comes from particulate […]
Golden Air Quality Last Week January 26 to Feb 1, 2018
The monitoring data from the air quality station in Golden last week clearly shows levels of air pollution rising each evening and going down in the middle of the day. This is caused by wood smoke from residential stoves. Residences producing too much smoke from smouldering stoves are obvious to anyone walking down the street. Wood smoke is hazardous and contributes to heart and lung disease. It is the responsibility of home owners to burn wood stoves so they do not smoke excessively and pollute the neighbourhood. For those who are taking this seriously, thank you for being a good neighbour!