Expanding outdoor burning sheer folly
The CVRD’s own stats say that open burning accounted for 53 per cent of total PM2.5 and wood-burning appliances accounted for 23 per cent, and children in Cowichan average 70 per cent higher respiratory diseases. Are they trying to deny that there’s a problem with air quality from wood burning?
The CVRD was going to look into alternatives to backyard burning like pick up and chipping. What happened with that? Instead they are going to let people burn all year? http://www.ladysmithchronicle.com/news/wood-smoke-is-a-major-health-hazard-in-the-cowichan-valley/
The American Lung Association says: “Compost and recycle as much as possible and dispose of other waste properly; don’t burn it. Support efforts in your community to ban outdoor burning of construction and yard wastes. (p. 13) http://www.lung.org/assets/documents/healthy-air/state-of-the-air/state-of-the-air-2017.pdf
It is sheer folly to think that an area with our geographical factors can reduce unacceptable particulate levels by expanding the outdoor burning practice to all year.
Jennifer Lawson
Cowichan Valley