air purifier allerair i-6500
Wood fireplaces are becoming more popular. There is something romantic and relaxing to sit near the fireplace, listening to the crackling of wood, and watching the flickering flames. And with rising fossil fuel prices, many people believe it is less expensive to burn wood for heating during winter. But research shows that central heating is usually the most efficient and cheapest way to heat. Many people also believe that burning wood is better for the environment since wood is a renewable resource, however, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), wood burning is not the environment. In fact, the results of wood at high levels of air pollution that can harm the environment and health.
"The single largest source of outdoor fine particles to enter our homes in many U.S. cities is our neighbor's fireplace or wood stove, "says Dr. Wayne Ott of Stanford University.
The Wood smoke contains many of the same chemicals as cigarette smoke, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hazardous and carcinogenic metals known as formaldehyde, dioxin, benzene and toluene. Inhalation of wood smoke seems to be even more dangerous than inhaling smoke snuff. A study EPA concluded that breathing particles of wood smoke during high pollution days is equivalent to the consumption of 4 to 16 cigarettes. Medical studies have related air pollution with lung cancer, heart attacks, strokes, hypertension, congenital heart defects, asthma, and even brain damage. People most at risk of damage from air pollution are asthmatics, diabetics, people with congenital heart failure, and children.
Dr. RamÃrez-Venegas in the United Kingdom explains that "biomass [wood] smoke is composed of a relatively equal mixture of fine particles and ultra thick and can penetrate deeply into the lungs, producing a variety of morphological and biochemical changes. "
"Mammalian lungs they have no defenses against small particles, "says Joel Schwartz of the EPA." Particulate pollution is the major pollutant in our air … We know that when particle levels go up, people die. "
Of course, it's best to avoid burning of wood (for the benefit of your family, your neighbors and the environment), but if you must, you can take steps to limit their exposure to air pollution. Make sure your home is functioning properly with a sufficient draft. Watertight doors in the front of chimney block out much pollution. Do not burn trash or treated wood, and make sure that its wood has been split and dried for at least six months. Use small pieces of wood. Small, hot fires emit less pollution than smoldering fires.
Many air purifiers are specifically designed to handle air pollution by smoke. Blueair air purifiers are available with SmokeStop Filters. The purifier AllerAir 5000 DS air is designed to absorb the smoke, tar, fine ash and other particles in the air, and purifying IQAir Multigas air removes a broad range of gases and particles, like smoke. If you want to get rid of the smell of smoke, Gonzo test the smoke odor Eliminator.
For more information about the health risks of wood smoke, hot topics visit, a nonprofit research and educational organization.
About the Author:
Scott Smith is an expert on indoor air quality and
air purifiers at achooallergy.com
.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Wood-Burning Fireplaces
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