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Health and Environment
Protect Your Health
To protect your health and that of everyone in your neighborhood:
- Use only heaters that qualify for EPA's voluntary program. Look for the Phase 2 white tag (about 90% cleaner) (PDF) (1pg, 281k, About PDF) or the Phase 1 orange hang tag (about 70% cleaner) (PDF) (1pg, 277k, About PDF).
- Ensure your heater is properly located and vented so that any smoke generated does not go into your neighbor's yard.
- Have your heater cleaned and inspected annually
- Use safe, efficient wood burning practices
Hydronic heaters produce smoke when the fuel does not burn completely. Most unqualified hydronic heaters smoke even when operated according to the manufacturer's instructions. Even new generation hydronic heaters that qualify for EPA's voluntary program can produce smoke if operated improperly.
Smoke from hydronic heaters contains a complex mixture of gases and particles. The size of particles is directly linked to their potential for causing health problems. EPA is concerned about particles that are 10 micrometers in diameter or smaller because those are the particles that generally pass through the throat and nose and enter the lungs. Once inhaled, these particles can affect the heart and lungs and can aggravate existing diseases, such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
"Fine particles," such as those found in smoke, are 2.5 micrometers in diameter and smaller. These particles can be directly emitted from sources such as forest fires, or they can form when gases emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles react in the air.
Residential wood combustion emissions also contain sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and potentially cancer-causing compounds including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, formaldehyde and dioxins. Some of these pollutants are known to cause cancer.
Those who heat with wood should do so as cleanly as possible. If possible, replace your old, dirty hydronic heater with a new generation hydronic heaters that meets or surpasses the EPA voluntary program emission levels. Also, all hydronic heaters need to be properly located, well-maintained, and used correctly to minimize air pollution, and consequently, help reduce risks to health. The NESCAUM Model Rule includes helpful information on minimum distances to neighbors and minimum stack heights to ensure better air quality. More about best burn practices.