Posted: Sep 27, 2017 11:34 am
crank wrote:Burning real logs in a fireplace doesn't really add to the carbon dioxide problem, it just goes to make the next batch of trees. That's too simplistic, but I don't think, at least here in the states, that we're over-logging when it comes to fireplace fuel. Sam Harris went on a long spiel about how unhealthy the emissions can be awhile back, though. He made it sound like sitting in front of a nice fire for a few hours was worse than smoking a pack of cigarettes. That's the impression that lingers after years since I heard him talk about it. It's really hard to beat a nice fire that you get to tend to and fuss over. maybe I'm just a pyro.
Wood burns much much dirtier than home heating fuel. It is also bad for your lungs, think second hand smoke, but worse when the smoke blows towards you. Having a wood stove in the house also lets in ash and dust in very fine particles that get lodged in your lungs.
Depending on population density, topography, climatic conditions and combustion equipment used, wood heating may substantially contribute to air pollution, particularly particulates. The conditions in which wood is burnt will greatly influence the content of the emission.[citation needed] Particulate air pollution can contribute to human health problems and increased hospital admissions for asthma & heart diseases.[9]
More at wiki-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_fuel#Combustion_by-products