Jan. 14, 2014: EPA Proposes New Standards for Wood-Fired Heaters
Agency Says These Standards Aim to Make New Wood-Fired Heaters Cleaner and More Efficient
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing standards for the amount of air pollution that can be emitted by new wood-fired heaters, beginning in 2015. EPA said its proposal would make the next generation of heaters an estimated 80 percent cleaner than those manufactured today. The proposal would affect a variety of wood heaters manufactured beginning in 2015 and will not affect heaters already in use in homes or currently for sale today.
EPA said smoke from residential wood heaters, which are used around the clock in some communities, can increase toxic air pollution, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, and soot, also known as particle pollution, to levels that pose serious health concerns. In some areas, residential wood smoke makes up a significant portion of the fine particle pollution problem. EPA’s proposal would work in concert with state and local programs to improve air quality in these communities.