Neebing, Ont -- As wood-stove season begins in earnest — especially in rural Thunder Bay — local clean-air advocates are urging users to stick with wood when they burn. Though it might be tempting to throw in the odd item of household waste once a fire gets going, “there’s a lot of toxic materials in garbage, including glues, plastics, inks and dyes,” EcoSuperior co-executive-director Ashley Priem said Tuesday. “These are particles that can end up in our air and water bodies (if they’re burned),” Priem added. A Health Canada backgrounder warns that while fireplaces and wood stoves can be used as a main or backup heat source, “wood smoke, like wildfire smoke, contains a number of pollutants that can be harmful to your health.” The backgrounder recommends smoke detectors and “at least one carbon monoxide (CO) detector be installed inside a dwelling where wood stoves or fireplaces are in use. Children, older adults and people with lung or heart issues are “especially vulnerable” to the affects of wood smoke, which can cause nausea, dizziness, headaches and irritated eyes and throats, the backgrounder added. Still, when burned properly in up-to-date stoves, wood remains an economical home-heating fuel, especially for rural dwellers who don’t have access to natural gas. Last week, the federal government removed the carbon tax on home-heating oil for the next three years, but oil prices remain sky-high even without the tax tacked on. Homeowners in the Thunder Bay area have been paying $1.70 or more per litre. By contrast, Thunder Bay retailer Ryan Whatley says efficient wood stoves can keep a 1,500-square-foot house warm and cozy for about $500 per season. “And they keep on heating if the power goes out, which is not uncommon in rural areas,” Whatley noted. Though a high-quality stove could set you back about $2,500, it should last about 30 years if it’s well maintained and cleaned, Whatley said. At this time of year, his company often sells four to five stove units a week, he said. Having a stove, exhaust pipe and chimney swept out and inspected by a professional company once a year is highly recommended, Whatley added. So is a professional installation, if a purchaser doesn’t have the skills or experience to do the job properly, he said. WOOD STOVE OPERATION SAFETY TIPS • Use a low-emissions model with “advance combustion” capability. • Ensure stove is kept clean, well-maintained and inspected annually by a professional company. • Use dampers to improve ventilation and allow for more efficient burning so less wood is required. • Burn wood in small pieces that have been split, well aired and dried (usually for six months) and are free of contaminants like paint and mould. Don’t burn cardboard.
CARL CLUTCHEY, LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER, The Chronicle-Journal Extra Tall Dog Pen
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