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Woodburning and Particle Pollution Information Page
This page provides information and links regarding particulate matter pollution (PM 10 and PM 2.5) including:
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What is the role of fireplaces/woodstoves in reducing particle pollution? |
Updated October 26, 2009: News release regarding the Residential Wood Smoke
Reduction Program, which includes the Woodstove Changeout Program (see
here) and the StopLight Recommended Actions. Read the
news release
here.
Updated October 13, 2009: The District adopted amendments to Rule 3.17
Wood Stove Heating. The amendments are effective immediately.
Documents available for review:
●
Proposed amendments
download
●
Final Staff Report
download
●
Line out/strike out version
download
For more information, please contact Sondra Andersson at (530) 634-7659 ext 210.
Updated July 21, 2009: The District is amending Rule 3.17 Wood Stove
Heating. A public workshop shall be held on August 26, 2009, at 3:00 pm.
The workshop shall be held in Conference Room #2 at the Yuba County Government
Center, 915 8th Street, Marysville. For more information on the public
workshop please contact the District at (530) 634-7659.
Documents Available for Viewing:
● Draft
Rule 3.17 Wood Burning Appliances
download
● Staff Report Rule 3.17 Draft
Amendments
download
● Fact Sheet
download
● Public Notice of Workshop
download
What are PM 10 and PM 2.5?
Particle pollution (also called particulate matter or PM) is the term for a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. Some particles, such as dust, dirt, soot, or smoke, are large or dark enough to be seen with the naked eye. Others are so small, they can only be detected using an electron microscope.
Particle pollution includes "inhalable coarse particles," with diameters between 10 and 2.5 micrometers; and "fine particles," with diameters that are 2.5 micrometers and smaller. How small is 2.5 micrometers? Think about a single hair from your head. The average human hair is about 70 micrometers in diameter – making it 30 times larger than the largest fine particle.
How Big is Particle Pollution?
These particles come in many sizes and shapes and can be made up of hundreds of different chemicals. Some particles, known as primary particles are emitted directly from a source, such as construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks or fires. Others form in complicated reactions in the atmosphere of chemicals such as sulfur dioxides and nitrogen oxides that are emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles. These particles, known as secondary particles, make up most of the fine particle pollution in the country.
What are the health impacts of particle pollution?
Particle pollution - especially fine particles - contains microscopic solids or liquid droplets that are so small that they can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems. Numerous scientific studies have linked particle pollution exposure to a variety of problems, including:
| increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing, or difficulty breathing, for example; |
| decreased lung function; |
| development of chronic bronchitis; |
| aggravated asthma; |
| irregular heartbeat; |
| nonfatal heart attacks; and |
| premature death in people with heart or lung disease. |
People with heart or lung diseases, children and older adults are the most likely to be affected by particle pollution exposure. However, even if you are healthy, you may experience temporary symptoms from exposure to elevated levels of particle pollution.
Go to topWhat are the current National and State Ambient Air Quality Standards and is the Yuba-Sutter region attaining the Standards?
The National Ambient Air Quality Standards as of Dec 2008 are:
| Pollutant | Standard | Averaging Time | |
| PM 10 | 150 ug/m3 | 24 hour average | |
| PM 2.5 | 15.0 ug/m3 | Annual Arithmetic Mean | |
| 35 ug/m3 | 24 hour average |
The Yuba-Sutter region has been designated nonattainment area for National Ambient Air Quality Standards (AAQS) for PM 2.5 . All of Sutter County and most of Yuba County are included in the nonattainment area. For more information on PM 2.5 designations, please go here.
The California Ambient Air Quality Standards as of Dec 2008 are:
| Pollutant | Standard | Averaging Time | |
| PM 10 | 20 ug/m3 | Annual Average | |
| 50 ug/m3 | 24-hour Average | ||
| PM 2.5 | 12 ug/m3 | Annual Average |
The District has been designated nonattainment for State PM 10 AAQS. The District's Board of Directors adopted a plan in accordance with Senate Bill 656 to reduce PM 10 emissions. For more information please see the SB 656 page here.
What is the current air quality in Yuba-Sutter Area?
To check the current pollutant levels at our sensor located on Almond Street in Yuba City, please click the link below:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/qaweb/site.php?s_arb_code=51898
You will be redirected to the AQ2MIS website hosted by the Air Resources Board. From this site, you can select to view particulate levels (BAM PM2.5), or select a different pollutant such as ozone or nitrogen oxide. You can also check meteorological conditions such as temperature and wind speed, or you can look up readings from sensor sites across California.
To check air quality forecasts, please visit the AirNow website at:
http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.fcsummary&stateid=6
The District forecasts PM2.5 and issues a recommended action for residential wood heating devices during the wintertime months of Nov-Feb. This is called the Stop Light Program. For more information, please see here:
http://www.fraqmd.org/Stoplight.htm
What can I do to limit my exposure to particle pollution?
If you are in an area that is being impacted by particle pollution such as smoke from wildfires, fugitive dust, or other source of pollution, there are a few things you can do to reduce your exposure. You can limit strenuous activity outdoors and keep windows and doors shut and air conditioners set to "recycle" setting. To limit exposure indoors, refrain from using candles, woodburning stoves, fireplaces, vacuuming, or dusting when particulate levels outdoors are high. For more ideas about how to limit your exposure to particle pollution, see the EPA's website at:
http://www.epa.gov/air/particlepollution/health.html
Or visit the Airnow website for information on wildfire smoke:
http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=smoke.smokecover
What is the role of fireplaces/woodstoves in reducing particle pollution?
Wood smoke is waste. Any smoke that escapes from your wood stove or fireplace is wasted fuel that will stick in your chimney as creosote or be released as air pollution. Wood smoke contains particulates such as PM 10 and PM 2.5 as well as toxic air contaminants and other criteria pollutants. An old or poorly installed wood stove can result in higher maintenance costs, greater risk of smoke in your home, and more pollution.
Properly installed EPA certified wood stove and fireplace inserts offer many benefits. They burn wood efficiently, more safely, and heat your home effectively with much less smoke. With EPA certified wood stoves and fireplace inserts, you should see only a thin wisp of steam coming from your chimney.
The District offers incentives for residents of Yuba and Sutter Counties who wish to upgrade an uncertified wood stove or fireplace with an EPA certified appliance. Please see the Woodstoves and Fireplace page for more information on the incentive program.
For more information on wood burning, please visit EPA's website: http://www.epa.gov/woodstoves/efficiently.html
Or visit the Airwatch Northwest's website to view short videos on how to select a wood burning appliance and how to operate your wood stove more efficiently:
http://www.airwatchnorthwest.org/homeheating/index.htm