HOW TO CONTROL WOODSTOVE POLLUTION " I
In 1980, a study by Monsanto and Auburn
University sounded the alarm about wood
stove emissions. Subsequent research by
more than a dozen different laboratories has
confirmed that "airtight" woodstoves emit
, larger amounts of carbon monoxide, partic
ulates, and unburned hydrocarbons than do
old-fashioned wood burners But the impor
tance of the Monsanto team's discovery of
significant amounts of "polycyclic organic
matter," or POM (sometimes called "polycy
clic aromatic hydrocarbons," or PAH, many
of which are known carcinogens), in smoke
is only beginning to be understood. And per
haps the least understood of the woodburn
ing-related pollution problems came to light
with the discovery by a Geomet Technologies
team that many woodstove-equipped homes
have indoor levels of carbon monoxide,
breathable particulates, and members of the
POM family that are more than ten times
greater than outdoor measurements taken at
the same time.
There is a positive side to our recent wood
stove emissions research, however. We've
learned more about the physics of combus
tion in the last few years than in all the years since humankind discovered fire. In turn,
new stove designs and aftermarket products are rapidly being developed to deal with
already recognized pollution problems. In addition, a wealth of information concerning
how a woodstove owner can operate his or her stove in a cleaner fashion has recently
become available. Here are five proven ways that can clear the air.
Rule 1: Use the largest-diameter logs that will burn effectively. Big pieces of wood
have less surface area per unit of volume, which prevents them from releasing volatiles
too rapidly. This has been recognized as the single most effective operator technique
for reducing emissions.
Rule 2: Build as small a fire as is practical. A stuffed firebox often leads to areas of
pyrolysis (the release of volatile gases trapped in the structure of the fuel} and/or char
ring that can't be reached by an adequate air supply. Therefore, use as few of the large
pieces of wood as you can while producing adequate heat.
Rule 3: Keep the fire hot. Position the logs in your stove so that air can move through
the fire zone, and be sure there's sufficient draft opening. Since you're already trying
to make the fire as small as possible, you can maintain high temperatures insid& the
stove without overheating your home.
Rule 4: Don't increase or decrease the draft setting drastically. Pyrolysis continues
for some time after the air supply has been cut back, so slamming the damper shut
can send much of your hard-won fuel up the chimney. On the other hand, rapid opening
of the damper can carry the pyrolytic products away from the fire too quickly, especial
ly if there's a significant wind-induced draft.
Rule 5: Avoid excessively wet or dry wood. Logs that are too dry pyrolyze very quickly,
overloading the combustion zone with volatile gases, while very moist timbers can in
hibit effective combustion by absorbing heat for evaporation.
Following the procedures listed above will not only cut down the pollutants coming
from your woodstove but will also help to keep your stovepipe cleaner and allow you
to obtain more heat from a given amount of wood. v _
For FREE additional information on woodstoves and on THE MOTHER EARTH NEWS magazine, send your name
and address and ask for Reprint No. 1932: "Woodstove Smoke." Write to Doing MORE . . . With LESS!, 10SStoney
Mountain Road. Hendersonville. NC 28791. or in care of this paper.
Copyright 1984 THE MOTHER EARTH NEWS. Inc
Marshall
Continued from Page 1
The board also discussed town
policy regarding the cutting ot
firewood on town property on
Hunter's Creek. No action was taken,
but residents wishing to cut on the
property are asked to come to Town
Hall before beginning to cut wood.
The alderman voted to allow Booth
Marler to cut several dead locust
trees at the Recreation Center.
Marler will be responsible for any
damages while cutting the trees
down.
The board also voted to change
their regular monthly meeting date to
the second Monday of each month.
The change had been requested by
Frank and Cecilia Ward in order to
have more time to prepare the town's
monthly financial statement. The
next regularly scheduled meeting of i
the town board will be held on Dec. 10
at 7:90 p.m.
The town also voted to advertise far
bids on the town's police shack on
Main Street. Hie hut is no longer in
use and is not needed by the town
police. Police operations will be mov
ed into the second floor offices of the
Town Hall after wiring is completed
Hw police came in for praise from
one merchant on the bypass. Mayor
Wild read a letter from the merchant
thanking the police for patrolling
?round his business.
K representative of the Marshall
Free Will Baptist Church also ad
dressed the meeting to ask if the
church's water and sewer bill
In accepting the bid, the aldermen
bypassed lower bids submitted by
both the Land of the Sky Regional
Council and Frank and Cecilia Ward
of Marshall. The aldermen accepted
the higher bid because the housing
authority agreed to provide more ser
vices than those in the lower bids.
The aldermen also voted to hire
Harold Anders, a former town
employee, as a helper with the Water
and Sewer Dept.
The board also approved a request
for funds to repair the town fire truck.
Larry Davis told the board that the
truck's pressure system will have to
be rebuilt.
Cost of the materials to make the
necessary repairs will be between
91,200 and $1,500. Members of the fire
department will provide the labor to
make the repairs.
To: Our FRIENDS, MEMBERS & GUESTS of Mad
ison & Yancey Counties and North Buncombe
County. Let us entertain you every Friday & Satur
day night and lift your spirits.
For reservations, Call: 274-4752
Private Club
CmUmm* (rem Page I
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