L.A. Anatomía

It’s officially fall, and though the sunny weather and the cool balmy nights may not seem like it, the retail stores are still on track with the seasons. Pumpkin patches and Halloween costume shops spring up out of no where to remind us that the yule-tides are just around the corner.

 And what’s the quintessential image of the fall and winter season that ushers in the holidays?

 A wood burning fireplace. Just the scent of that smokey musk makes one think of hot chocolate, warm sweaters, baking stuff, and over all fuzzy goodness. Well, all that fuzzy-goodness you’re inhaling are actually harmful particles, called PM2.5, that get lodged in your lungs.

Healthy Hearth, is actually a program initiated by the Air Quality Management District in So. Cal, that promotes, “Clean Burning.” Intense wood smoke can create immediately create bodily reactions, like stinging eyes, runny nose and even headaches. Scientists at the American Lung Association are actually concerned with traditional wood burning fireplaces, that can cause or lead to serious lung diseases.

 But you’ve got to wonder, who owns a traditional fireplace in So. Cal?

Aren’t most of the fireplaces gas?

And does this mean we have to invent a new entrance for Santa to drop off gifts for the wee ones?

And of course the most dangerous times to use your wood-burning fireplace or stove, is during the winter when cold air can trap these dangerous microscopic particles, when you need it the most.

So, the solution:  “Homeowners can get a $125 discount on the price of gas log sets for their fireplaces under a new program aimed at curbing wood smoke pollution…”