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shallowdeep -> RE: San Francisco considers ban on fireplaces (11/25/2007 6:36:04 PM)
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The proposed bans on indoor wood fires are purely an air-quality issue. Contrary to the assertions in the disgruntled letter linked in the OP, global warming is not part of the rationale for the ban. Concern about smog from fireplaces in the Bay Area predates general awareness of global warming and, providing firewood it harvested in a sustainable manner, net contributions to atmospheric CO2 from fireplaces are minimal anyway.
The issue is the particulates that can cause problems for those with asthma and increase the risks of various respiratory illnesses. During winter, wood burning fireplaces account for around 30 percent of these particulates in the region, and significantly more in certain areas. The local geography and climate exacerbate the problem. As thornhappy pointed out, atmospheric temperature inversions tend to trap smog close to the ground in the Bay Area, an effect that is often more pronounced on colder nights. The hills also act as a pollution trapping basin in calm weather, also common on colder nights.
Fireplaces in the Bay Area are, in general, for ambience and not heating – and the ban has exemptions for those who rely solely on wood as a heating source. Sacrificing a bit of ambience for public health is not an unreasonable request. Residents are already asked to voluntarily refrain from wood fires on days when conditions are conducive to smog (approx. 20 days/winter), but the requests are too often ignored, creating an easily avoidable air quality problem. A ban would simply make the existing requests on those days enforceable with fines.
See the Bay Area Air Quality Management District's website for some more information on the reasons behind the ban:
http://www.baaqmd.gov/pio/wood_burning/
A San Jose Mercury News story on the proposal:
http://www.mercurynews.com/search/ci_7382912
Note that there is no objection to gas fireplaces, only wood burning ones. In fact, Santa Clara County is happy to pay you a bit to convert your wood fireplace into a gas one. (I believe other area municipalities have similar programs.)
http://www.sparetheair.org/changeout.htm
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ORIGINAL: Level
I won't rest until we get a ban on cows farting.
Careful, I'm sure the vegetarian lobby will propose a "solution" if you give them any ideas... =)
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