Woodsmoke contains toxic chemicals

Bring out the Mittens

As the cold winter weather quickly approaches it is time to bring out the mittens to protect the fingers from the cold nip in the air.

Although we can protect our fingers and our body from the cold by wearing appropriate warm clothing, we are unable to protect our lungs and health from the Woodsmoke pollution present in many urban neighbourhoods.

Noticeable Woodsmoke swirling about from rooftop chimneys and silver stacks present urban pollution that is ranked as a known threat to human health. Woodsmoke contains toxic chemicals. Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) when inhaled go deeply into the lungs causing damage to our cells.

Wood burning stoves, wood burning fireplaces, pellet stoves, OWBs (Outdoor Wood Boilers) and outdoor open air burning contribute to the Woodsmoke polluted air in our urban and surrounding areas.

We can protect our children from winter’s wrath but unless our communities take pro-active action to end/ban/prohibit the use of all wood fuelled devices and appliances, people will continue to suffer the ravages of not only cancer but many woodsmoke-related illnesses such as Asthma, COPD, and heart disease, among others.

The young, fragile elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions are more vulnerable to the toxins from Woodsmoke pollution. Even the healthy are affected by the toxic chemicals in woodsmoke.

It is time to bring out the mittens and it is time that our municipal leaders take immediate pro-active action to protect all residents from the known harm of Woodsmoke pollution.

Linda Beaudin