2016-01-30|'More needs to be done' on greenhouse gas emissions
To the Editor
In addition to emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), wood heating is in fact a major source of air pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOC), fine particles (PM2.5), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Therefore, the logical course of action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as other toxic gases is to phase out wood-burning fireplaces from Canadian homes, if individual homeowners truly care about the climate and our health rather than clinging to the emotional sense of nostalgia. Cleaner alternatives are electric, natural gas, propane and ethanol fireplaces.
Wood should be composted or burned in a controlled environment in which emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) can be minimized, not in a fireplace.
