IS THERE A BAN ON WOOD-BURNING FIREPLACES?
In many countries, more pressure is being put on the government to ban wood-burning fireplaces as they create environmental issues which are hazardous to health. Wood-burning fireplaces emit smoke that causes some people inhalation problems and allergic issues. That's why they are going to be banned. On the other hand, some people favor wood-burning fireplaces because wood is a renewable source and less damaging to the environment than oil, coal, and electricity. Below is the article; we will highlight whether there is a ban on wood-burning fireplaces in the future or what are the reasons for the ban and how we control them.
Is It True That Wood Fireplaces Are Going To Be Banned?
From ancient times people have been using wood as a source of heat, which keeps them warm during cold nights, and it does not come without problems. When you burn wood, it contains toxic carbon monoxide, smog-causing nitrogen oxide, soot, fine particles, and many more chemicals that can be hazardous to your health.
In fact, according to the world health organization, it has been clarified that wood smoke contains particular carcinogenic matter. That's why in many countries, people pressure the government that enough is enough, and that's why the ban on wood-burning comes into play.
This news of being banned from wood-burning fireplaces has impacted many homeowners that live in Canada and the United States. Because they have to pay hefty bills and spend thousands of dollars using natural gas, residents can receive financial assistance in some cities in the United States to replace their wood-burning fireplaces with cleaner heating options. In California, the state's Air Resources Board has banned installing wood-burning fireplaces in new homes, but existing fireplaces can still be used. Meanwhile, in some cities in Europe, such as Paris and London, there are restrictions on wood-burning fireplaces.
In places with bans or restrictions on wood-burning fireplaces, alternative heating methods are usually available, such as electric heaters, gas fireplaces, or pellet stoves. These alternatives are often cleaner and more efficient than wood-burning fireplaces, so they are encouraged in areas where air quality is a concern.
Issues Created Due To Wood-Burning Fireplaces
Many people in homes use wood-burning fireplaces that emit pollutants that cause the chance of cancer-causing chemicals due to inhaling pollutant air. Even in England, 38,000 people die yearly due to wood-burning smoke.
As you know, wood-burning fireplaces need stacks of logs which means trees are cut down daily, and deforestation is caused. It is a severe environmental concern that can cause the loss of fresh air, atmosphere, and biodiversity.
Global warming is increasing due to the cutting of trees; otherwise, we can control on release of carbon monoxide. If we do not ban wood fireplaces from burning, we will face a severe crisis in the future.
Burning wood fireplaces create lung disease, and people face particular risks, but so do children, older adults, people with cardiovascular disease, and those with diabetes. Even some hazardous gases like (benzene and formaldehyde) are also produced, creating ozone pollution.
Even carbon dioxide and methane are mixed into the environment, which changes the climate. So if you want an environment-friendly heat source, then there are many other better choices than burning wood fireplaces.
Pollutants produced by wood-burning fireplaces have negative effects and produce respiratory issues or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Starting Of Clean Air Strategy
Wood-burning fireplaces are banned due to starting of a clean-air strategy by the government in many countries to diminish the air pollution source. According to the world health organization, it was predicted that air pollution is a top environmental risk for human health. A clean air strategy is started to improve air quality in which pollutants like ammonia and nitrogen oxides are present, and all these changes are possible with the cooperation of society by reducing the emission of PM2.5. Particulate matter is also present in the air, tiny particles that find their way into the human body and lungs through air inhalation and cause health issues like asthma and heart disease.
How to Protect Yourself from Wood-Burning Emissions
If wood-burning fireplaces are affecting air quality, you should follow some steps:
⦁ Stay indoors
People who are suffering from lung disease, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes should stay indoors to keep them protected from smoke ashes or other pollution.
⦁ Don't count on a dust mask.
If you are going through lung disease, use an expensive dust mask with a true HEPA filter that will protect you from fine particles, but it seems complicated for people with lung disease to use them. If you use an ordinary mask, they will not help, so consult your doctor about this issue.
⦁ Take precautions for kids.
It is wise to follow extra precautions for children more susceptible to smoke.
⦁ Don't exercise outdoors.
Some people exercise to keep themselves fit but avoid exercise if they feel their throat irritated.
⦁ Reduce Your Pollution By Avoid Burning Wood
Avoid burning wood, corn, switch grass, or other products to heat the home or water. Burning can raise the pollution in the outdoor air, particularly on high-pollution days. Always prefer the heat alternatives for your home than wood fireplaces such as solar panels and electric or geothermal heat pumps.
⦁ Choose a Cleaner Device
Choosing a cleaner device for warming your home or water is a good decision, and utilizing natural gas stoves and heaters produces less pollution. But it would help if you kept them fully vented to the outdoors because they may produce carbon monoxide. So if you want to burn wood, choose clean devices for burning.
⦁ Pellet Stoves and Hydronic Heaters
Pellet stoves and Hydronic heaters are cleaner burning devices with efficient fuel sources phased in 2020.
⦁ Wood-Fired Forced Air Furnaces
Cleaner warm air heaters are being phased in now and will be entirely in place for all devices manufactured in 2020.
⦁ Choose a Better Fuel
You can control the emission of wood-burning smoke by using clean fuel as a burning source. Pellets and dry wood produce a small amount of smoke and burn more sterile and efficiently than other woods.
⦁ Use Dry Wood
If you want to protect the environment from pollution, always burn dry wood rather than wet because dry wood has little moisture and does not produce any smoke, which causes decay. Do not burn the plastic, garbage, and glossy paper, then create smoke.
⦁ Replace Wood-Burning Fireplaces
It is best to replace wood-burning fireplaces with environment-friendly ethanol fireplaces to reduce pollution. Choosing an ethanol fireplace is an easy and safe alternative, which uses eco-friendly bio-ethanol fuel that burns clean without spills.
Conclusion
There is no universal ban on wood-burning fireplaces; there are restrictions and regulations in place in some areas to address concerns over air pollution and climate change. If you live in a room with a ban or restriction on wood-burning fireplaces, alternative heating options can be just as cozy and practical. By switching to cleaner heating methods, we can help improve air quality and reduce our environmental impact. This article will enhance your knowledge regarding the ban on wood-burning fireplaces and will help you to know how to control air pollution.