# Reducing Residential Wood Smoke: **Health Communication Tools**

U.S . Environmental Protection Agency 1 

### Leigh Herrington Air Toxics Risk Assessors Call February 13, 2014

# What We Know About Residential Wood Smoke

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2 • Residential wood - burning emits more than **390,000 tons** of PM2.5 into the air throughout the country each year – mostly during the winter months. • Accounts for **44%** of total stationary and mobile polycyclic organic matter emissions, nearly **25%** of all area source air toxic cancer risks and **15%** of noncancer respiratory effects. • **10.1 million** wood stoves, inserts and pellet stoves, **17.5 million** wood - burning fireplaces and **241,000** hydronic heaters in the U.S. • **Sixty -** **five percent**  of the wood stoves are old, inef ficient, non - EP

A wood stoves • An estimated **$56 -** **$126 billion** in health benefits per year if all non - EP A wood stoves are replaced with cleaner burning appliances.

# Health Effects of Wood Smoke • Wood smoke is made up of a complex mixture of gases and fine particles produced wh en wo od and other organic matter burn. • Fine particles (also called particle pollution, particulate matter, or PM) from wood smoke are harmful to health. • In addition to particle pollution, wo od 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 asthma

– Older adults

– Children and teens U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 3

# Fine Particle Health Effects • Causes watery

e yes, 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. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 4

# Fine Particle Health Effects

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### • Research indicates that obesity or diabetes may increase risk. • New o r expectant mothers may also want to take precautions to protect the health of their babies. • Studies suggest harmful developmental and reproductive ef fects, such as infant mortality and low b irth 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

# EPA Residential Wood Smoke Programs

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 6 • Residential Wood Heater NSPS (Gil Wood) • Choosing an EP

A- certified wood stove http://epa.gov/burnwise/choosing.html#woodstove • EP A- Qualifying program for Hydronic Heaters • Phase 2 Qualified: 90% cleaner than old models • http://epa.gov/burnwise/choosing.html#hydronic - heater • EP A- Qualifying program for Wood - burning Fireplaces and Fireplace Retrofits • 90% cleaner than old models • http://epa.gov/burnwise/choosing.html#fireplace • EP A Burn Wise Education and Outreach Campaign • Develops wood smoke reduction tools and strategies for state, tribal, and local implementation. • www.epa.gov/burnwise

# Ways to Help Protect Health • Burn dry, seasoned wo od that has been split, stacked, covered and stored for 6 - 12 months. • Test wood wi th 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. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 7 Changing out 1 old, dirty, inefficient wood stove is the equivalent to the PM 2.5

reduction of taking 5 old diesel trucks off the road.

# Wood Smoke and Your Health:

Breathe Easier

Click here to view

t he video U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 8

# Additional Videos

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# Split, Stack, Cover and Store http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo1 -- Zrh1 1s We t Wood is a Waste http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM2WGgRcnm0 The Pledge http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev4XogvRbMEU.S. Environmental Protection Agency 10 

# Health InfoGraphic • Vi sual message to promote cleaner burning • Great for websites, social media and newsletters • Todow nload, visit http://epa.gov/burnw ise/kit.html

# Health Awareness Kit

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 11 • Burn Wise Infographic • Wood Stove and Fireplace Safety T ips to Protect Y our Health article • Burn Wise To p 20 Social Media Posts • Burn Wise Fast Facts http://epa.gov/burnwise/kit.html Other • Wet Wood is a Waste brochure http://www.epa.gov/burnwise/pdfs/wetwoodwastebrochure.pdf • Public Service Announcements - http://epa.gov/burnwise/psas.html For State, T ribal 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 Facebook http://w ww. facebook.com/EPABurnWise
• 

### Follow

u s on Tw itter http://tw itter.com/epaburnw ise

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# Want More Information?

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

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