According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Oregon, Idaho and Washington are 7th, 8th and 9th on "per capita emissions." That makes us some of the worst polluters of air in the nation. Here's the surprising reason why:

WOOD BURNING!

Living-room stoves, fireplaces and backyard fire pits are so common in the northwest that the accumulated emission of smoke put us in the top 10 for "fine particle emissions"!

Normally that wouldn't worry me, but that is seriously bad news for people with asthma. Also, wood smoke -- although a "natural" pollutant -- is still one of the worst forms of air pollution, especially for children and the elderly.

Do you have a stove, fireplace or fire pit? I sure do!

 

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