Communicating the Health Effects of Residential Wood Smoke - PowerPoint Presentation

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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

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.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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Fine 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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Fine 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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Health InfoGraphic

Visual message to promote cleaner burning Great for websites, social media and newsletters To download, visit http://epa.gov/burnwise/kit.html

Wood Smoke and Your Health: Breathe Easier

Click here to view the video

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Additional 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

Social Media

Join us on Facebookhttp://www.facebook.com/EPABurnWiseFollow us on Twitterhttp://twitter.com/epaburnwise

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Want More Information?

herrington.leigh@epa.gov or 919-541-0882brockman.larry@epa.gov or 919-541-5398www.epa.gov/burnwise

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