Only Burn Dry Wood

Reduce particulate air pollution from wood smoke, and breathe easier.

Proposed limits for fireplace lighting in San Francisco.

Photo: Luis Carlos Torres / Istock

By Brian Clark Howard

When you start a fire in your hearth or in a campground, only burn dry wood (preferably logs that have had about six months to dry out).

Wet wood doesn't burn as completely, meaning it releases more pollutants into the air. The biggest concern is so-called particulate pollution — solid particles smaller than a red blood cell that are implicated in 30,000 deaths in the U.S. and 2.1 million deaths worldwide each year. Particulate pollution can cause, and irritate, asthma and allergies, as well as lung problems.

According to a 1989 study published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine, wood smoke is chemically active in the body 40 times longer than tobacco. By sticking to dry wood, you'll help reduce the toxins entering our air.

Also remember that if you are going to be using wood for a significant amount of heating, make sure your stove is high efficiency and well maintained (pellet models are best), or use cleaner-burning oil or natural gas.

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