Meeting Minutes

Clean Air Sudbury

Campfires, Air Quality and Health Effects

While many of us enjoy sitting around the occasional campfire in the summer, it is important to be aware that campfire smoke releases many air pollutants which may be hazardous to your health and the health of your neighbours. Breathing wood smoke is not healthy for anyone, but those most at risk include individuals with asthma and respiratory diseases, children, pregnant women and seniors.

To minimize air pollution and heath risks:

· Limit campfires to occasional use

· Burn only clean, dry, well-seasoned wood

· Never burn treated wood, plastic, rubber or garbage

· Do not let a fire smolder and produce a plume of blue-grey smoke

· Do not have a campfire on a day when the air quality is already poor

· Avoid directly inhaling wood smoke

· Respect your neighbours’ health too

Text Box: City of Greater Sudbury Open Air Burning By-Law No campfires within 6 m of a building or structure No campfires within 5 m of a forest or woodland Extinguish fires no later than 1/2 hour after sunset Click HERE for bylaw

For more information:

· “Wood Burning Emissions and Potential Health Effects” by Sudbury & District Health Unit

Air Quality in Construction Zones

Turn off your engine when you are stuck in stop-and-go traffic during the summer road construction period. Save gas $ and emissions.

Every 10 minutes of idling:

· wastes 1/4 to 1/2 litre of gas

· emits 600-1200 g of carbon dioxide and a variety of air pollutants

Idling for more than 10 seconds takes more fuel than it takes to restart the engine. Turning your engine on and off is not hard on the starter.

Turn your air control to recirculate when driving in stop-and-go traffic to limit the amount of car exhaust that enters your vehicle.

Smog Advisories

Smog advisories are occasionally issued in the summer in Greater Sudbury and typically coincide with hot, sunny days. If a smog advisory is issued, it means that the air quality for the next 24 hours will be poor due to smog (a mixture of ozone, fine particulate matter and other pollutants).

To protect your health, during a smog advisory:

· Refrain from heavy outdoor exercise and yard work

· Drink plenty of water

· Avoid being outside around high traffic areas and during rush hour

· See your doctor if you experience chest tightness, coughing or wheezing

For more information: www.airqualityontario.com