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109 Smoke Pollution 2010 BOARD OF HEALTH )ONNA C.SALLOOM,CHAIR SUZANNE SMITH,M.D. JOANNE LEVIN,M.D. Benjamin Wood,MPH,Director reria Mir,MPH,Health Inspector is Abbott,RN,Public Health Nurse Heather McBride,Clerk '-10 CITY OF NORTHAMPTON MASSACHUSETTS 01060 OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH (413)587—1214 FAX(413)587-1221 SABETH PAPADEMETRIOU &ALI USMAN HIGH ST IRENCE MA 01062 Elisabeth and Ali, 212 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON,MA 01060 Jffice received a concerned phone call about the amount of woodsmoke being generated from your erty. For your reference and information, enclosed are the Northampton Board of Health Regulations erning Emissions from Solid fuel Burning Devices as well as an information sheet on reducing wood smoke ition. Please review these materials and pay attention to the amount of woodsmoke being generated from home. erely, Wood, MPH ctor, Northampton Health Department sead- rap (lo NORTHAMPTON BOARD of HEALTH REGULATIONS GOVERNING EMMISSIONS from SOLID FUEL BURNING DEVICES RPOSE: These regulations have been adopted pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 111, Section 31C as a means of reducing the smoke emissions from wood burning devices in the City of Northampton. FINITIONS: Opacity: is a measure of the density of smoke,Per Code of Federal Regulations(CFR), Title 40, Part 60. Owner: means the owner of any solid fuel-burning device and/or the authorized agent of the owner and/or the person who has overall responsibility for the operation of a solid fuel-burning device. Solid Fuel Burning Device: means any fireplace, fireplace insert,wood stove, wood heater,wood furnace, coal furnace,coal stove or similar device burning any solid fuel for aesthetic, cooking, or space heating purposes. ;ULATION: SMOKE EMISSION FROM ANY SOLID FUEL BURNING DEVICE SHALL NOT EXCEED 30% OPACITY FOR A PERIOD OF TWO (2) MINUTES EXCEPT DURING A FIFTEEN (15)MINUTE STARTUP PERIOD. 'ORCEMENT: This regulation will be enforced by the Northampton Board of Health based on opacity readings taken by opacity observers, certified in accordance with the provisions of CFR Title 40, Part 60. ALTY: EAL: The owner of any solid fuel-burning device operated in violation of these regulations shall be punished for a first offense by a fine of not less than fifty($50) dollars nor more than one hundred ($100) dollars; and for a subsequent offense,by a fine of not less than two hundred($200)dollars nor more than five hundred($500)dollars. For purposes of this paragraph, each day, or part thereof, of violation of theses regulations,whether such violation be continuous or intermittent, shall be construed as a separate and succeeding offense. An owner may appeal an order to correct a violation of these regulations provided that a written request for a hearing is filed in the Board of Health office within seven(7)days of the violation notice. ECTIVE DATE: Following approval by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), these regulations will become effective on the date of publication. Publication Date: Daily Hampshire Gazette-October 26 1989 Reducing Wood Smoke Pollution Wood smoke pollution results when wood is burned inefficiently for residential heating. Northampton residents,who heat with wood, are reminded that there is a Board of Health regulation, which limits the density of smoke being emitted from wood stoves and furnaces. The following dos & don'ts will help reduce wood smoke pollution and improve wood stove efficiency. • Do have your stove and chimney inspected and cleaned yearly. • Do burn only dry, well-seasoned hard wood. • Do attach a stack thermometer to the stove's flue pipe and operate your stove in the range of 300° to 400° Fahrenheit for maximum stove efficiency. Operating wood stoves at a lower temperature results in incomplete combustion, causes hazardous creosote deposits in chimneys, and increases air pollution. • Do bum each new load of fuel briskly for 10 to 20 minutes to drive off moisture and reduce creosote. Build small hot fires and keep the stove's damper/air inlet open to prevent the fire from smoldering. Inadequate air intake into the firebox causes greater pollution. • Do monitor your wood smoke emissions regularly, excessive smoke indicates inefficient operation and wasted fuel and pollution being emitted into the atmosphere. • Don't bum painted or finished wood, trash, garbage, or plastic in a wood stove. • Don't overload your stove with large pieces of wood, this lowers the firebox temperature and increases pollution. • Do remember that efficient wood stove use saves money and reduces pollution. Contact the Board of Health office at (413) 587-1213 for additional information or with any questions about efficient wood stove use.