Breaking NewsSponsored by The Sullivan Auto Group
Subscribe: Home Delivery Special!
Editorial: Fireplaces on hiatus
Rule about burning wood needs approval
Published 12:00 am PDT Thursday, September 27, 2007
Story appeared in EDITORIALS section, Page B6
Anyone who breathed the acrid smoke that hung across the Sacramento Valley when forest fires raged this summer must understand why the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District has proposed a common-sense rule to restrict wood burning this winter. From the beginning of November to the end of February, those cozy wood fires are the single largest source of lung-piercing fine particulate pollution.
The mixture of soot, smoke, metals, nitrates, sulfates and dust that residential fireplaces emit from burning wood penetrates deep into lungs. Exposure decreases lung function and aggravates asthma and bronchitis. In people with serious heart or lung disease, exposure to wood smoke can cause premature death.
In response to studies that documented serious health impacts, the federal government adopted stringent new standards that require local air districts to reduce the public's exposure to soot. To meet that standard, Sacramento air district officials have proposed Rule 421. It would prohibit residents in Sacramento County from burning wood or pressed logs and pellets in their fireplaces during the 25 to 30 bad air days of the year when particulate pollution is greatest, on those winter days when the air is still and smoke hovers close to the ground. Those who violate the rule would face fines of up to $50 for the first offense.
For local elected officials who sit on the air district board, the most controversial provision of the new rule bans the burning of pressed logs and pellets along with wood. Though less harmful than burning wood, pressed logs and pellets are still 100 times more polluting than natural gas. They contribute to the toxic stew that causes an estimated 90 premature deaths in the Sacramento metropolitan area every year. Rule 421 would cut soot pollution by one third in Sacramento County this coming winter, protect public health and save lives.
People have a right to breathe clean air. Rule 421 deserves to pass.
Unique content, exceptional value. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Most Popular
More Stories in Opinion
News |
Sports |
Business |
Politics |
Opinion |
Entertainment |
Lifestyle |
Travel |
Blogs |
Cars |
Homes |
Jobs |
Classifieds/Shopping
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Site Map | Advertise | Guide to The Bee | Bee Jobs | FAQs | RSS
Contact Us | e-edition | Subscribe | Manage Your Subscription | E-newsletters | Sacbeemail | Archives
sacbee.com | Sacramento.com | Capitol Alert | SacMomsClub.com | SacPaws.com | SacWineRegion.com
Copyright © The Sacramento Bee
2100 Q St. P.O. Box 15779 Sacramento, CA 95816 (916) 321-1000