Metro Vancouver wants you to think twice before lighting fireplace

METRO VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – They’re associated with cozy evenings with loved ones but Metro Vancouver is looking at ways of curbing our use of fireplaces and wood burning stoves.

That’s because of the particulate matter the smoke generates – making neighbourhoods hazy, especially in the wintertime.

Metro Vancouver’s director of air quality Roger Quan says the air-borne particles are so fine, they get deep into our lungs – which is not healthy.

He says Metro is not looking at an out-right ban.

“It could be more of an emission standard or an emission-performing standard of woodstoves and fireplaces. In other words, some wood-burning devices would be phased out.”

Quan points to the woodstove exchange program, that gives people a financial incentive to switch to equipment that burns cleaner.

He says the emphasis will be on educating homeowners, but he acknowledges it’s a polarizing issue, because many people are very attached to their fireplaces and woodstoves, which could be a primary source of heat source for some homes.

“Another way around it is to not allow any wood fireplaces or wood-burning devices to go in any new construction in the region.”

In the meantime, if you insist on lighting a fire, Quan advises using clean, seasoned and untreated wood. You should also get your chimney inspected and swept regularly.

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