Unfortunately, our region is not expected to meet new, stricter federal health standards for tiny, lung-damaging particles or soot, known as "PM 2.5." And during winter months, wood burning is the source of up to 45 percent of our region's particle pollution.
Cold air tends to trap particles closer to the ground – and our lungs, where they evade defenses, irritate and cause damage. Children, the elderly and people with respiratory problems are especially vulnerable.
The new Rule 421 proposed by the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District will restrict woodburning in fireplaces, wood stoves, pellet stoves and other woodburning devices in Sacramento County when airborne soot levels are predicted to exceed federal health standards during November through February.
The air district will announce these “Check Before You Burn” days via the media, Web sites and a recorded telephone message residents can call. Air district inspectors will then issue citations if they see chimney smoke. Citizens can pay a $50 fine or attend classes to settle the ticket.
Historic data suggests the restriction may apply on about 30 days per winter season. It will not apply to gas logs or gas fireplaces, to woodburning as a primary heat source.
Soot or small particles from wood smoke and other sources are linked to premature death, cancer and lung disease. Some agencies suggest particles are as deadly as auto accidents or living with a cigarette smoker...
Since our region will not meet new federal standards for soot, we could stand to lose access to some federal transportation funding that is crucial to the movement of goods and workers. When we don't meet federal health standards, it prompts the federal government to examine our local transportation and air-quality plans to see if they mesh well, or "conform." If they don't, officials can block or delay millions or of dollars, as they did recently because of our ozone pollution.
Nonattainment with federal soot standards will likely lead to mandates on the local air district that will lead to new regulations for area businesses.
While there are many sources of soot pollution, air district staff say performance in other regions shows their new woodburning restriction could almost by itself help us meet new federal soot regulations – and do so by regulating a recreational and optional, but polluting activity. That's a big reason why the Cleaner Air Partnership supports this action.
The bottom line: by putting the kabosh on unneeded aesthetic burning just a day or two a week, we can meet standards, avoid lung and heart problems and spare our economy and transportation funding.
Write a support letter and/or testify in support of new restrictions on wintertime recreational residential wood burning in Sacramento County as originally written.
The Sacramento Metro air district board of directors will consider adopting this rule on Oct. 25 at 9:30 a.m. at the Board of Supervisors Chambers, 700 H Street - Suite 1450 in Sacramento.
Sample support letter
Contact info for Sac air district board
Public hearing details
FAQ
U.S. EPA info on soot pollution
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