Message-ID: <199510252121.AA163276066@calshp.cals.wisc.edu> Date: Wed, 25 Oct 1995 16:21:06 -0500 From: Eugene Wengert <mailto:wengert@CALSHP.CALS.WISC.EDU> Subject: SMOKE To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
When burning any organic material at cool temperatures and/or with insuffcient oxygen, smoke (which is unburned or partially burned material or is pyrolysized material, meaning it is changed from the original organic material) is generated. Smoke is often a witch's brew of carcinogens. Two recent studies on wood smoke (and I think that conclusions apply to all organic smoke from burning of natural organic products) have linked wood smoke to increased susceptibility of lung disease (in mice and rats). Mice were more susceptible to the flu; rats had a lowered immune cell activity when exposed to fairly low levels of smoke. Additionally, wood smoke has also been linked to respiratory illness in preschoolers.The message seems to be that when wood is used (recreational use, cooking, or heating) it must be burned with adequate oxygen (which will also assure a hot fire) so that the products of combustion are only water vapor and carbon dioxide. In lieu of this, adequate smoke removal must be provided for. I think that this has application in work in lesser developed countires; hope you find it interesting and useful as a guiding bit of information.
Eugene M. Wengert Professor & Extension Specialist, Wood Processing Department of Forestry University of WIsconsin-Madison 1630 Linden Drive Madison, WI 53706 Phone: 608-262-3455; FAX 608-262-9922 Preferred e-mail: mailto:wengert@calshp.cals.wisc.edu