US Environmental Protection Agency 1 Leigh Herrington National Air Quality Conference February 12 2014 Health Effects of Wood Smoke Wood smoke is made up of a complex mixture of gases and fine particles produced when wood and other organic matter burn ID: 759396
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Communicating the Health Effects of Residential Wood Smoke
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Leigh Herrington
National Air Quality Conference
February 12, 2014
Slide2Health Effects of Wood Smoke
Wood smoke is made up of a complex mixture of gases and fine particles produced when wood and other organic matter burn.Fine particles (also called particle pollution, particulate matter, or PM) from wood smoke are harmful to your health. In addition to particle pollution, wood smoke contains several other air pollutants including benzene, formaldehyde, acrolein and methane. The particle pollution in wood smoke can affect everyone. Some of the most vulnerable are:People with certain health conditions such as heart or lung disease or asthmaOlder adultsChildren and teens
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Slide3Fine Particle Health Effects
Causes watery eyes, stuffy noses, and chest tightness;Irritates the airways causing coughing or difficulty breathing; Decreases lung function; Triggers asthma attacks; May lead to: Chronic bronchitis; Irregular heartbeat; Nonfatal heart attacks; and Early death in people with heart or lung disease.
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Slide4Fine Particle Health Effects
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Research indicates that obesity or diabetes may increase risk.
New or expectant mothers may also want to take precautions to protect the health of their babies.
Studies suggest harmful developmental and reproductive effects, such as infant mortality and low birth weight.
Some studies also suggest that long-term PM 2.5 exposures may be linked to cancer.
Particle Pollution and Health (2012)-
http://epa.gov/pm/2012/decfshealth.pdf
Ways to Help Protect Health
Burn dry, seasoned wood that has been split, stacked, covered and stored for 6-12 months.Test wood with a moisture meter (20% moisture or less is best).Use a cleaner-burning gas, pellet or wood stove.Make sure to provide sufficient air to the fire; never let it smolder.
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Slide6U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Health InfoGraphic
Visual message to promote cleaner burning Great for websites, social media and newsletters To download, visit http://epa.gov/burnwise/kit.html
Slide7Wood Smoke and Your Health: Breathe Easier
Click here to view the video
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Slide8Additional Videos
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Split, Stack, Cover and Store-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo1--Zrh11s
Wet Wood is a Waste-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM2WGgRcnm0
The Pledge-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev4XogvRbME
Health Awareness Kit
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Burn Wise
Infographic
Wood Stove and Fireplace Safety Tips to Protect Your Health article
Burn Wise Top 20 Social Media Posts
Burn Wise Fast Facts
http://epa.gov/burnwise/kit.html
Other
Wet Wood is a Waste brochure
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http://www.epa.gov/burnwise/pdfs/wetwoodwastebrochure.pdf
Public Service Announcements-
http://epa.gov/burnwise/psas.html
For State, Tribal and Local Training
Reducing Residential Wood Smoke
Training Video-
http://www.epa.gov/apti/video/Larry%20Brockman%20Revised%20051410.wmv
Strategies
for Reducing Wood Smoke-
http://epa.gov/burnwise/pdfs/strategies.pdf
Slide10Social Media
Join us on Facebookhttp://www.facebook.com/EPABurnWiseFollow us on Twitterhttp://twitter.com/epaburnwise
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Slide11Want More Information?
herrington.leigh@epa.gov or 919-541-0882brockman.larry@epa.gov or 919-541-5398www.epa.gov/burnwise
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