Studies and news reports that expand the scope of Environment & Human Health, Inc.'s (EHHI) research reports about health and the environment.
The Dangers to Health from Outdoor Wood Furnaces
Fairbanks boiler owners agree to replace wood with oil A court battle over two wood boilers located across the street from a Fairbanks elementary school ended with the owners agreeing to pay a $12,000 penalty and replace the wood boilers with oil-fired boilers. Despite new ventilation equipment installed inthe school in 2011, the smoke-filled air caused neighbors, staff and students to experience asthma and respiratory problems. Click here for the article.
The Dirty Truth about Soot Robert Miller writes in the News Times that an international team of researchers warns that soot, also called "black carbon" contributes significantly to global warming. "It's a really important study," said Nancy Alderman, president of Environment and Human Health Inc. Click here for the article.
Alaska Dispatch warns that OWFs are making Fairbanks' air quality "a dirty shame"
Fairbanks is facing a community health crisis caused by the proliferation of unregulated wood burning furnaces whose smoke has been linked to asthma, heart attack, strokes and premature death. Click here to read more.
The EPA weighs in on toxic exposures and links to children's brain damage and nervous system disorders.
Connecticut Department of Public Health Issues OWF Guidance for Health Directors
The Connecticut Department of Public Health recently issued guidance to support ocal health directors in their effort to address local nuisance complaints stemming from wood burning.Click here for pdf.
The Connecticut Department of Public Health had previously declared that wood smoke—under certain circumstances—can be considered a public nuisance. Click here to read more.
Wood smoke can be a nuisance, says Connecticut Department of Public Health
The Connecticut Department of Public Health has declared that wood smoke—under certain circumstances—can be considered a public nuisance. This constitutes major progress on an issue that has become a problem for many people in Connecticut, as well as across the country.
Wood smoke is more than a nuisance–it's illegal in Elmira, New York
Wood smoke is not just a nuisance, but can be a health hazard for people with medical problems like asthma, bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In Elmira, free-standing outdoor fire pits and chimneys, whether front-loading fireplaces or ovens with a bulbous body and vertical smoke vent or chimney, are illegal if they are wood-burning. Those that are fueled by natural gas, propane or charcoal are allowed because they are smoke-free.
