Janet
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40 votes
City of Vancouver is considering the possibility of a ban for all new residential construction. This idea is considered in the draft Greenest City Action Plan. Chemical products of concern to possibly be addressed through a VoC strategy under consideration.
Janet
supported this idea
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An error occurred while saving the comment Janet
commented
As I read through some of the documentation on the federal government website on the hazards of woodsmoke, I read that valley communities are particularly susceptable to pollutants. Because they are situated in a topographic depression, pollutants that enter, linger and those that are created within the community don't easily escape.
I had a sense of this years ago, when as I visited relatives in Revelstoke B.C. I noticed that wood burning (combination of lumber mills burning refuse and residential wood burning) would linger in the air 24/7. I remember that I had a very difficult time breathing during these visits, particularly in the winter months when the dense cold air formed a barrier that seemed trap the smoke in the valley. That was probably twenty years ago, and eventually these activities subsided as wood burning appliances were replaced through a rebate program, which encouraged people to switch to natural gas. Community protest and outcries eventually stopped that burn off of refuse at the lumber mill.
One thing I remember very well was how thankful I was to return to Calgary for relief from the smoke. Now the opposite situation exists here, with many residents turning to burning wood both indoors and out. It makes you wonder how, when other communities have been enlightened by the hazards of wood smoke, some would choose to adopt it.
As we learn more and more about things that can, and have effected our lives and our health, we need to embrace this knowledge and take back control of our environment and our health. There are many people who have been negatively impacted by pollutants throughout Canada. It makes me sad to see how long in some cases, their struggle has endured...something most may feel hopeless about...and yet they struggle on. People need to be informed, companies need to be made accountable, and the government needs to be a leader in this progression. We need to go forward not backward.
Janet
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178 votes
City of Vancouver is considering the possibility of a ban for all new residential construction. This idea is considered in the draft Greenest City Action Plan.
Janet
supported this idea
·
An error occurred while saving the comment Janet
commented
For anyone that has questions about the harmful effects of wood smoke take a look at:
http://www.lunghealthframework.ca or
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cd-mc/crd-mrc/crd_figures-mrc_figures-eng.phpYou will find resources for information on the adverse health effects of, and toxins from wood smoke.
To learn how these pollutants have an even greater potential impact on the health of children go to:
http://www.cape.ca/children/resp4.htmlAlso, anyone who is concerned about these pollutants on our health and quality of life I would encourage you to express those concerns to:
The National Lung Health Framework Partnership Secretariat
framework@lung.caAnyone who can immediately feel the impacts from wood burning activities in their neighborhood, knows that it doesn't take a study on the health effects wood burning pollutants to exacerbate preexisitng repiratory conditions. Also, determing that exponentially growing cases of these conditons, which have corresponded with the increase in wood burning activites over the past few years, doesn't require a PHD. There are 600,000 reported cases of COPD, Asthma, Lung Cancer or related respiratory conditions in Canada, according to Health Canada studies.
This is epidemic, and fixing the problem by telling us to take control of our health, while not eliminating the source of the issue is like trying to drive you car in neutral.Janet
An error occurred while saving the comment Janet
commented
I am from Calgary, where there is much less consideration and respect for the environment (O.K...none). It has become so bad in some residential neighborhoods here, that there is no transition between wood burning outdoor firepits and indoor fireplaces. The only controls we have (only on firepits) is a rediculous set of rules that favor the wood burner, while rates of asthma and respiratory conditions continue to escalate, and still, we see no connection...duh...
I lived in Vancouver years ago, and they have always been far in advance in their consideration for health and the environment. It surprises me that this isn't something that has been taken into consideration (harmful effects of wood smoke from fireplaces and woodburning stoves) .
There are studies being done at the federal government level that list the harmful chemicals emitted by wood burning, and their direct effects on respiratory and other health issues. Along with this information are facts about the exponential increase in respiratory health issues and subsequent negative impact on health care and the economy.
Be the voice of wisdom that you have always been on the environment, and ban wood burning activities such as firplaces and wood stoves. Afterall, how can a province like Alberta ever see the light, if it isn't turned on, even if it takes several years for them to see it. Maybe a reduction of pollutants such as this, in Vancouver, can offset the huge negative impact Alberta has had on the environment.
Janet
