What does wood smoke release into the atmosphere that concerns the Bay Area Air Pollution Control District?
A. Open fireplaces release PM10. PM stands for “particulate matter,” which can best be described as very small liquid and solid particles floating in the air. The 10 refers to particles less than 10 microns in diameter (smaller than the thickness of a human hair). PM10 is a public health concern, because these particles are small enough to be inhaled into the lungs. Q. In addition to log-burning fireplaces, what are the other sources of PM10? A. There are many sources of PM10, including automobile and truck exhaust, construction and demolition dust, ocean spray, smoke from commercial kitchens, agricultural field and waste burning, landfills, and industrial and power plant emissions, to name a few. Q. Do open-system log-burning fireplaces release enough PM10 into the atmosphere to be a legitimate public health concern in the Bay Area? A. Only very rarely, according to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) itself. In its Woodburning Handbook, the BAAQMD states: On the han
