1 day in 4 this winter has been a "high pollution" day !

[Spare the Air]

1 day in 4 this winter has been a "high pollution" day !

As of today, we’re at 25 "spare the Air days this winter, almost a full month of bad air! And the wood burning season's not over...

I'm certain everyone has noticed the poor air quality over the last three days.

Here's what you can do about it:

E-mail your local officials and request strong residential wood burning ordinances. If you live in San Mateo, request we enact an ordinance.

Here are the e-mail addresses for the San Mateo city council:

bgrotte@cityofsanmateo.org
cgroom@cityofsanmateo.org
jepstein@cityofsanmateo.org
jlee@cityofsanmateo.org
jmatthews@cityofsanmateo.org

P.S. I apologize for the poor spelling in the previous post. I was at work and wrote it quickly...

[Roscoe_Beedle]

Why don't YOU move to the Coast if you have such sensitivity to fireplaces. The air is crystal clear there.

This move to legislate everything we do under the guise of "health" is slowly stripping us all of quality of life meaning in favor of some drab quantity of life theory.

What next? No alcohol? No cars driven above 35 miles an hour? A requirement to take mass transit?

Seriously, I lived on the coast for a short time. My allergies were virtually cured overnight with the fresh salt laden air. But I prefer the mid-Peninsula. So I sneeze sometime. The price we pay for what we want in this life. I prefer that Government not dictate my enjoyment of a nice calming fire once in a while.

[Spare the Air]

Roscoe Beedle wrote: "Why don't YOU move to the Coast if you have such sensitivity to fireplaces. The air is crystal clear there."

Roscoe,

Let's clarify a few things:

1) The issue is about improving air quality... Not about where you or I live. I hope you will agree that we all want clean air.

2) I'm not anti-fireplace. A warm fire once in a while is nice, providing there is a breeze and particulate pollution levels are low.

However, burning on calm or high pollution days adds to an already bad situation. Smoke fills the immediate area, infiltrates your neighbor's homes and harms their health. They do not enjoy the comfort of your fire, but they are being harmed by it...

Here in the USA, we all have the right to do (almost) anything we want, but ONLY up to the point where we infringe on the rights of others...

Further, we would not NEED a wood smoke ordiance if people modified their behavior and didn't burn on "Spare the Air" days. The sad truth is that they do burn on high pollution days.

When the "Golden Rule" doesn't work, we have to create laws for the good of everyone.

That's why we need a residential wood smoke ordinance.

[Roscoe_Beedle]

To say smoke from my chimney harms my neighbor's health is simply an invention by you to further your argument. Everything we do can be argued to harm someone in some way. We simply cannot reduce our existence to the lowest common denominator to insure everyone is "safe". What a world that would be.

Think about it: No power lines, no airports, meatless stores, no alcohol, no stereos, and on and on. All under the guise that someone may be "harmed" by these.

This type of run away stupidity can be seen in Marin County. The Public Buildings there are all "Perfume-Free" zones. You cannot wear perfume or cologne in those buildings!

I printed out your comments and will use the paper to light my fire tonight.

[Spare the Air]

Roscoe,

I have not made anything up. It's all documented fact.

Particulate pollution from wood smoke causes long-term lung damage, just like second-hand cigarette smoke.

You can find out more at: http://www.baaqmd.gov/

Regarding your response: You are certainly entitled to your opinion, and I'm more than willing to have a dialog with you. However, I see no value in emotional responses that lack a logical argument or supporting information.

By the way, tonite is another "Spare the Air night. If you have any sense of social responsibility, you won't use your fireplace tonight.

From the BAAQMD website:

SPARE THE AIT TONIGHT, JANUARY 26!
The Air District advises everyone in the San Francisco Bay Area to avoid burning wood tonight, and to drive less, as air quality is forecast to reach unhealthy levels. Wood burning and driving are the major winter sources of particulate pollution. (Remember - there is no free transit offered during the winter Spare the Air Tonight season.

Breathe easy neighbor... And remember, clean air is good for you too!

[Roscoe_Beedle]

What about the no Perfume/cologne law? That was based on some study just like your's is.

You seem to miss the point. We keep giving up our rights to satisfy pseudo-science fanatics that feel their health is at risk. Where are the sick people? Where are the medical actual cases? There are none.

You know, a few months back, there was this group of people who were attacking the SF airport over the airplanes emmisions over the populated area. Something about "contrails".Their solution? No airplanes over populated areas. Imagine that. Stop air traffic because some group feels their health is affected. This is the point. Who wants to live in a world were our Government tells us how to live our lives to satisfy a few. No matter what measures you employ we all die of disease at some point. Best to enjoy your time here.

I'm going to enjoy tonight's fire immensely.

[Spare the Air]

Rosco,

This is not pseudo-science. It's backed by a pleathora of hard data from multiple studies, conducted by reputable sources. The results of these studies show that particulate pollution is directly correlated to increasing rates of respiratory desease. The studies show that people are, in fact, getting sick. Do some web browsing and see for yourself.

It's also about picking one's battles:

Vehicles are a major source of particulate pollution. However, I agree with you that it would be unreasonable to try stopping planes from flying out of SFO, or to stop traffic on nearby freeways. As a community, there is very little local government can do to reduce pollution from these sources.

But we do have the ability to reduce residential wood smoke pollution, which accounts for 1/3 of the particulate pollution in the Bay Area. Remember, we are talking about limiting burning only on high pollution, "spare the air" days. It's a battle vs. air pollution we have the power to win.

Here's my basic take on the wood smoke pollution issue:
I would prefer that we all operate by the "golden gule". But when other people's thoughtless actions cause injury, suffering or loss to my family, freinds and neighbors, I'll staunchly defend my rights. One of these is the right to not breathe polluted, unhealthy air if I can do something about it.

I don't know about you, but like my life and value the health and lives of those around me. I don't want the actions of a few socially irresponsible individuals to shorten my life or yours.

You might be surprised, but after reviewing a few of your other posts, we have similar perspectives on a number of issues. Just not this particular issue... It seems we are clearly in opposite camps on this issue, and neither of us is going to alter the others perspective.

Let's agree that we disagree... No harm, no foul.

[Roscoe_Beedle]

You are right, no harm no foul. We do disagree on this one.

I did notice that on the fire log I used, one of those pressed duraflame logs, it says it has only 30% of the particulates of a wood chunk. Maybe that's a partial victory....