Wood fire smoke and your health -
EPA Burn wise program
- Burn only wood that has moisture content of no more than 20%.
- Burn only hard woods and seasoned woods.
- Burn only wood that is split and then dried for at least one year.
- Store your wood under cover or protected from humidity.
- When you buy your wood from an independent seller ask if the wood has been properly seasoned.
- Burn only small fires. You will get more heat and less smoke. Humid or wet firewood boils when it burns and makes a smoky fire with little heat and is a waste of wood.
- Focus on your smoke density. It is normal to have more smoke when you start a fire. However too much smoke is a sign that your wood has too much moisture.
- Do not burn other materials in your oven such as garbage, treated or paint treated wood etc or anything that normally emits dense smoke or obnoxious odors.
- Wood smoke contains tiny particles and gases that can have serious health effects when inhaled in large amounts. Wood smoke is especially harmful to children, the elderly and people with lung and heart disease.
