Breathe Clean Air issued the following news release today about a health study done in Courtenay/Comox and two other communities in BC that shows wood smoke increases risk of heart attacks. See the full release for more background.
Wood smoke increases heart attack risk in BC seniors
Courtenay – A new health study of three communities in British Columbia found that rising concentrations of fine particulate air pollution caused by wood burning can significantly increase the risk of heart attacks in people 65 and older.
During the cold season, when pollution from woodstoves is at its highest, the risk of heart attacks among subjects of 65 years and older increased by 19%.
The Health Canada funded study looked at air quality measurements and data from hospital admissions in Courtenay/Comox, Prince George and Kamloops. In the winter heating months, Courtenay/Comox had the highest level of fine particulates and the highest percentage of wood smoke in those particulates.
“This study reinforces what we already know about wood smoke. It puts people’s health—and lives—at risk,” said Jennell Ellis, a spokesperson for Breathe Clean Air Comox Valley, a local citizen’s group. “Our local and provincial representatives need to stop debating the issue and start acting to get rid of harmful wood smoke. They are neglecting their duty to protect the health and lives of their citizens.”
In addition to using data from fixed-site air quality monitors, the researchers set up eight temporary monitors in each study area.
“Seniors throughout our community face an increased risk of heart attack when there is wood smoke in their area. And every fireplace and wood stove contributes to that increased risk,” said Ellis. “Moving to cleaner heating options can literally help save lives.”
This winter, Courtenay has been over BC’s 24-hour Air Quality Objective for fine particulates on 19 days and four air quality advisories have been issued for the Comox Valley. Last winter Courtenay exceeded the same objective on 21 days and had more days under an air quality advisory.
“Our area is one of the smokiest areas in the province in the winter,” added Ellis. “But all communities with wood smoke should be concerned about the results of this study. There can be an increased risk of heart attacks even if an area doesn’t exceed air quality standards or experience air advisories.”
The study, Biomass Burning as a Source of Ambient Fine Particulate Air Pollution and Acute Myocardial Infarction, was released online earlier this month by the journal Epidemiology. http://journals.lww.com/epidem/Abstract/publishahead/Biomass_Burning_as_a_Source_of_Ambient_Fine.98888.aspx
For more information:
Jennell Ellis
250-465-9192 (cell)
info@breathecleanair.ca
www.breathecleanair.ca
McGill University news release on the same study: https://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/channels/news/woodstoves-are-good-soul-bad-heart-266643
I hope this is published in the Comox Valley Record. Our elected officials need to promote more education on this topic and make sure everyone knows about the rebates when switching to healthier ways to heat ones home. Then repeat throughout the seasons.
Unfortunately there are those who will continue to burn. I can understand the psychological attraction to fires but ones intellect needs to overrule this for the health and benefit for everyone, even themselves. Our elected officials need to be more proactive on this in an intelligent way. Do we really want to overload our already overburdened health care system ? I can’t believe this continues in residential areas such as area A of the CVRD. We are near Arden road and smoke goes across Arden Rd. into Courtenay. This is a residential area in Area A of the CVRD. Families with young children live here too.