KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Though burning wood is as familiar to human experience as the home itself, inhalation of wood smoke may cause or aggravate respiratory illness and may trigger asthma or allergies. According to a new TV show by Public Health - Seattle & King County, wood smoke also contains hundreds of chemical byproducts, some of which are linked to cancer.
"Wood smoke is a surprise health issue for many of us" said Councilmember Carolyn Edmonds, Chair of the King County Board of Health. "It's important to become educated about who is most at risk for wood smoke effects, and how we can all take steps to reduce the impact wood smoke has on our community." Concerns about wood smoke were raised last year at a meeting of the King County Board of Health, when several community members testified about the dangers of wood smoke.
"Though inhaling wood smoke is unhealthy, there are many things we can do to reduce or even eliminate the wood smoke in our neighborhoods and homes by burning correctly or by switching to an alternate fuel" said Ron Sims, King County Executive.
Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County said that people with asthma should avoid exposure to wood burning emissions. "Over 22,000 children in King County have asthma, and wood smoke in their homes or neighborhoods may worsen this too-common condition," he said. Thousands of King County adults also have asthma.
"Wood Smoke" will be shown on Civic Television (Channel 22 on Comcast Cable) at the following times:
- Wednesday, February 4 5:30 p.m.
- Thursday, February 5 6:00 a.m.
Part of the "Spotlight on Environmental Health" series, the new 30 minute show features host Morgan Barry discussing wood smoke with an expert in indoor air quality and with a representative of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. The show includes interviews with an air pollution researcher, as well as a local physician specializing in environmental risks to health. The show concludes with an interview with a "hearth professional" who discusses various options to the traditional wood-burning fireplace. Viewers will learn:
