Comments for Time to Clear the Air http://timetocleartheair.com Breathe Well Live Well Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:01:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Comment on Canadians in denial about air pollution impact: Study – Vancouver Sun by Brie Oishi http://timetocleartheair.com/canadians-in-denial-about-air-pollution-impact-study-vancouver-sun.htm/comment-page-1#comment-819 Brie Oishi Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:01:58 +0000 http://timetocleartheair.com/canadians-in-denial-about-air-pollution-impact-study-vancouver-sun.htm#comment-819 The Impact Air Pollution has on Peoples Health needs to be drastically reduced and should take Priority in 2011! We Canadians need to clean up the Air we need to breathe in order to become a health oriented Nation. However, just talking about this does not get us anywhere! The issue of CLEANER AIR goes far beyond politics! It is not a question of Dollars (Loonie) or Cents either. This requires good ordinary Common Sense! It is the duty of all of us to CLEAN UP the mess we have created. And this clean up starts at our homes. We the Consumers have to decide whether we want to go on buying products that pollutes the environment the moment it is released from its container. We have the power to make more Environmental friendly Choices. We would be a Self-distracting Society if we ignore Scientific Findings on studies that have been done on Household Cleaners, Laundry Products and Wood-smoke Emissions. All of these are linked in one way or another to Asthma, Respiratory-conditions, Lung and Heart problems, including Cancer and the main target are Women and Young Children! The Impact Air Pollution has on Peoples Health needs to be drastically reduced and should take Priority in 2011!

We Canadians need to clean up the Air we need to breathe in order to become a health oriented Nation.
However, just talking about this does not get us anywhere!

The issue of CLEANER AIR goes far beyond politics! It is not a question of Dollars (Loonie) or Cents either.
This requires good ordinary Common Sense!

It is the duty of all of us to CLEAN UP the mess we have created.
And this clean up starts at our homes. We the Consumers have to decide whether we want to go on buying products that pollutes the environment the moment it is released from its container.
We have the power to make more Environmental friendly Choices.

We would be a Self-distracting Society if we ignore Scientific Findings on studies that have been done on Household Cleaners, Laundry Products and Wood-smoke Emissions. All of these are linked in one way or another to Asthma, Respiratory-conditions, Lung and Heart problems, including Cancer and the main target are Women and Young Children!

]]> Comment on Canadians in denial about air pollution impact: Study – Vancouver Sun by Brie Oishi http://timetocleartheair.com/canadians-in-denial-about-air-pollution-impact-study-vancouver-sun.htm/comment-page-1#comment-818 Brie Oishi Mon, 17 Jan 2011 21:48:34 +0000 http://timetocleartheair.com/canadians-in-denial-about-air-pollution-impact-study-vancouver-sun.htm#comment-818 On: Air Pollution and Health Hazards from Wood-smoke! Wood smoke is hazardous to environment and people and needs to be avoided! Here are some constituents of wood smoke. Particulate Matter (2.5) –Inflammation, Oxidative stress............. Carbon monoxide--------Asphyxiant.............. Nitrogen dioxide--------- Irritant..................... PAHs----------------------Carcogenic, mutagenic............ Aldehydes----------------Irritant, carcinogenic, mutagenic............ Alcohols------------------Irritant, teratogenic.................... Phenols--------------------Irritant, carcinogenic, mutagenic............ Quiniones-----------------Irritant, allergenic...................... These are the facts of science, and it questionable why wood burning is still permitted and why wood burning fireplaces are still in operation. Quoting UBC Professor Michael Brauer, School of Environmental Health: what we do know is that woodsmoke clearly leads to health impacts and that fireplaces are a, very, uncontrolled source of pollution! How informed people are about health hazards contained in wood smoke emissions is a guess. Many individuals do not relate a scratchy throat (or the "not quite feeling right") to wood-smoke. Are people aware that these symptoms could be the beginning of a serious condition related to wood-smoke emissions? Lung Associations have a list of these conditions and claim that wood-smoke is linked to Asthma, Respiratory-conditions, Lung and Heart problems, including Cancer... What is not as well documented is: that one also can become hypersensitive to wood smoke, and when that happens it will ruin ones life; and will negatively effect the life of ones entire family. It did happen to me! British Columbia may be noted as a region with the longest exposure to Environment Canada's air-quality index; but it has done no good as far as eliminating Air-pollution from neighbourhoods where wood-burning fireplaces operate! The air quality in these neighbourhoods does not measure up to the ambient air quality readings! Our provincial government, municipal leaders and Metro Vancouver have to initiate a total ban on the use of wood-burning fireplaces in order to eliminate this type of air pollution. In other provinces throughout Canada wood burning situations need to be cleaned up as well and BURNERS need to realize that they are polluting the environment and not only causing harm to their own health, but to their neighbour’s also. Leaders on all Three Levels of Government need to examine their positions and supply our Nation with what is best for its People! And in my opinion; that would be CLEAN AIR! We can exist quite nicely without a lot of other things and do with less. Eliminating wood smoke would be a step in the right direction; it would not be a burden on the economy. It would give all Canadians a better chance to breathe cleaner air. Implementing a No-Burning Bylaw should not depend on how many people are complaining about poor air quality in their neighbourhoods; but needs to be based on the fact that too many people’s health will be affected if a BAN does not take place. On: Air Pollution and Health Hazards from Wood-smoke!

Wood smoke is hazardous to environment and people and needs to be avoided!
Here are some constituents of wood smoke.
Particulate Matter (2.5) –Inflammation, Oxidative stress………….
Carbon monoxide——–Asphyxiant…………..
Nitrogen dioxide——— Irritant…………………
PAHs———————-Carcogenic, mutagenic…………
Aldehydes—————-Irritant, carcinogenic, mutagenic…………
Alcohols——————Irritant, teratogenic………………..
Phenols——————–Irritant, carcinogenic, mutagenic…………
Quiniones—————–Irritant, allergenic………………….
These are the facts of science, and it questionable why wood burning is still permitted and why wood burning fireplaces are still in operation.

Quoting UBC Professor Michael Brauer, School of Environmental Health: what we do know is that woodsmoke clearly leads to health impacts and that fireplaces are a, very, uncontrolled source of pollution!

How informed people are about health hazards contained in wood smoke emissions is a guess. Many individuals do not relate a scratchy throat (or the “not quite feeling right”) to wood-smoke. Are people aware that these symptoms could be the beginning of a serious condition related to wood-smoke emissions?
Lung Associations have a list of these conditions and claim that wood-smoke is linked to Asthma, Respiratory-conditions, Lung and Heart problems, including Cancer…

What is not as well documented is: that one also can become hypersensitive to wood smoke, and when that happens it will ruin ones life; and will negatively effect the life of ones entire family. It did happen to me!

British Columbia may be noted as a region with the longest exposure to Environment Canada’s air-quality index; but it has done no good as far as eliminating Air-pollution from neighbourhoods where wood-burning fireplaces operate!
The air quality in these neighbourhoods does not measure up to the ambient air quality readings!
Our provincial government, municipal leaders and Metro Vancouver have to initiate a total ban on the use of wood-burning fireplaces in order to eliminate this type of air pollution.

In other provinces throughout Canada wood burning situations need to be cleaned up as well and BURNERS need to realize that they are polluting the environment and not only causing harm to their own health, but to their neighbour’s also.

Leaders on all Three Levels of Government need to examine their positions and supply our Nation with what is best for its People! And in my opinion; that would be CLEAN AIR! We can exist quite nicely without a lot of other things and do with less.

Eliminating wood smoke would be a step in the right direction; it would not be a burden on the economy.
It would give all Canadians a better chance to breathe cleaner air.

Implementing a No-Burning Bylaw should not depend on how many people are complaining about poor air quality in their neighbourhoods; but needs to be based on the fact that too many people’s health will be affected if a BAN does not take place.

]]> Comment on Canadians in denial about air pollution impact: Study – Vancouver Sun by admin http://timetocleartheair.com/canadians-in-denial-about-air-pollution-impact-study-vancouver-sun.htm/comment-page-1#comment-772 admin Wed, 05 Jan 2011 15:09:45 +0000 http://timetocleartheair.com/canadians-in-denial-about-air-pollution-impact-study-vancouver-sun.htm#comment-772 Thank you for sharing and for caring about the air! WAF Thank you for sharing and for caring about the air!

WAF

]]> Comment on Canadians in denial about air pollution impact: Study – Vancouver Sun by Brie Oishi http://timetocleartheair.com/canadians-in-denial-about-air-pollution-impact-study-vancouver-sun.htm/comment-page-1#comment-771 Brie Oishi Wed, 05 Jan 2011 08:16:34 +0000 http://timetocleartheair.com/canadians-in-denial-about-air-pollution-impact-study-vancouver-sun.htm#comment-771 Most Canadians are in denial about air pollution impact on human health because they are not well informed. For instance how many Canadians are aware of the fact that wood smoke is polluting the environment and is a health hazard? Government has conducted many studies on this and how much of the findings have been made public? Very few I would say! Many health conditions depend on clean air. Air is the most important element and has to be kept as clean as possible; and not only for our fellow citizens. But for ourselves as well! Mainly for ourselves! This is where we should be very selfish! Only the cleanest and freshest air is good enough for us! We are responsible Canadians, we need to take a good look and acknowledge the harm polluted air has done throughout the world and then we have to do whatever it takes to prevent that from happening in our own country. To our children, and to ourselves! We need to understand: Wood Smoke kills. Getting back to wood smoke: I have received the following information from Professor Michael Brauer, UBC. Air pollution (fine particles) and health Premature mortality (cardiac); decreased life expectancy In Metro Vancouver ?600 deaths/yr attributable to air pollution (5% of non-trauma total) Lung cancer Cardiac / respiratory hospital admissions and emergency visits Work/school absences Cardiac: cardiac arrhythmia, myocardial infarction onset, arterial vasoconstriction, systemic inflammation Respiratory: aggravated asthma, chronic bronchitis, respiratory symptoms, lung function ……………………. Also: Quoting Professor Michael Brauer, School of Environmental Health: what we do know is that woodsmoke clearly leads to health impacts and that fireplaces are a, very, uncontrolled source of pollution! This statement is based on scientific research and would suggest that wood burning fireplaces are truly the culprit when we speak of air pollution and health hazards from wood burning. Please read: Excerpt from a letter from the Minister of Healthy Living, Honourable Mary Polak, dated Dec, 03, 2008 / 755260 – to Brie Oishi… ‘Open hearth fireplaces are not regulated under any provincial legislation; they are generally not used for home heating purposes; and they have no emission control devices. Poor burning practices can result in excessive wood smoke which can be a nuisance to neighbours and both a health and air quality concern.’ It is obvious that emissions from one wood burning fireplace can foul the air of an entire neighbourhood. Where wood burning fireplaces exist and operate, the neighbourhood air quality does not measure up to the ambient air quality readings Videos are available to inform the public about some dangers in wood smoke. Links and Videos: http://www.nwcleanair.org/pdf/aqPrograms/woodHeating/woodSmokeandYourHealth.pdf Former assistance Professor at UBC and BCLA researcher! Doctor Sverre Vedal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCYzW0yslsI&feature=related Dr. Sverre Vedal, Pulmonary Physician, Epidemiologist as well as Professor for the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at the University of Washington talks about Wood Smoke and its impact on Public Health. Australian and international health experts! :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaxSgglRpLY Australian and international health experts agree that domestic winter woodsmoke pollution is just as harmful to our health as secondhand cigarette smoke. It is well documented that woodsmoke contains many of the same cancer causing chemicals found in cigarette smoke. While governments have legislated to protect our health from cigarette smoke little is being done to protect us the harmful effects of domestic woodsmoke that fills our neighbourhoods every winter. Most Canadians are in denial about air pollution impact on human health because they are not well informed. For instance how many Canadians are aware of the fact that wood smoke is polluting the environment and is a health hazard?
Government has conducted many studies on this and how much of the findings have been made public? Very few I would say!
Many health conditions depend on clean air.
Air is the most important element and has to be kept as clean as possible; and not only for our fellow citizens. But for ourselves as well! Mainly for ourselves! This is where we should be very selfish! Only the cleanest and freshest air is good enough for us!
We are responsible Canadians, we need to take a good look and acknowledge the harm polluted air has done throughout the world and then we have to do whatever it takes to prevent that from happening in our own country. To our children, and to ourselves! We need to understand: Wood Smoke kills.
Getting back to wood smoke:
I have received the following information from Professor Michael Brauer, UBC.

Air pollution (fine particles) and health
Premature mortality (cardiac); decreased life expectancy In Metro Vancouver ?600 deaths/yr attributable to air pollution (5% of non-trauma total)

Lung cancer
Cardiac / respiratory hospital admissions and emergency visits
Work/school absences
Cardiac: cardiac arrhythmia, myocardial infarction onset, arterial vasoconstriction, systemic inflammation
Respiratory: aggravated asthma, chronic bronchitis, respiratory symptoms, lung function …………………….
Also: Quoting Professor Michael Brauer, School of Environmental Health: what we do know is that woodsmoke clearly leads to health impacts and that fireplaces are a, very, uncontrolled source of pollution!

This statement is based on scientific research and would suggest that wood burning fireplaces are truly the culprit when we speak of air pollution and health hazards from wood burning.
Please read: Excerpt from a letter from the Minister of Healthy Living, Honourable Mary Polak, dated Dec, 03, 2008 / 755260 – to Brie Oishi…
‘Open hearth fireplaces are not regulated under any provincial legislation; they are generally not used for home heating purposes; and they have no emission control devices.
Poor burning practices can result in excessive wood smoke which can be a nuisance to neighbours and both a health and air quality concern.’

It is obvious that emissions from one wood burning fireplace can foul the air of an entire neighbourhood. Where wood burning fireplaces exist and operate, the neighbourhood air quality does not measure up to the ambient air quality readings

Videos are available to inform the public about some dangers in wood smoke.

Links and Videos:
http://www.nwcleanair.org/pdf/aqPrograms/woodHeating/woodSmokeandYourHealth.pdf

Former assistance Professor at UBC and BCLA researcher!
Doctor Sverre Vedal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCYzW0yslsI&feature=related
Dr. Sverre Vedal, Pulmonary Physician, Epidemiologist
as well as Professor for the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at the University of Washington talks about Wood Smoke and its impact on Public Health.

Australian and international health experts! :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaxSgglRpLY
Australian and international health experts agree that domestic winter woodsmoke pollution is just as harmful to our health as secondhand cigarette smoke. It is well documented that woodsmoke contains many of the same cancer causing chemicals found in cigarette smoke. While governments have legislated to protect our health from cigarette smoke little is being done to protect us the harmful effects of domestic woodsmoke that fills our neighbourhoods every winter.

]]> Comment on The Surprising Link Between Air Pollution & Diabetes – MSN Health & Fitness by The Surprising Link Between Air Pollution & Diabetes – MSN Health … | Pro Earth Forsyth http://timetocleartheair.com/the-surprising-link-between-air-pollution-diabetes-msn-health-fitness.htm/comment-page-1#comment-33 The Surprising Link Between Air Pollution & Diabetes – MSN Health … | Pro Earth Forsyth Sat, 13 Nov 2010 05:22:39 +0000 http://timetocleartheair.com/the-surprising-link-between-air-pollution-diabetes-msn-health-fitness.htm#comment-33 [...] Visit link: The Surprising Link Between Air Pollution & Diabetes – MSN Health … [...] [...] Visit link: The Surprising Link Between Air Pollution & Diabetes – MSN Health … [...]

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