Wood Boilers Update
Air Toxics Advisory Committee
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12/12/06
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12/12/06
Position Paper on Outdoor Wood Boilers (OWBs)
Position Summary
????? The Air Toxics Advisory Committee (ATAC) joins the American Lung Association and several states in a call for meaningful regulation of outdoor wood boilers (OWBs) or in the absence of regulation, a moratorium on the sale of these units until such time as emission standards are established that meet or exceed particulate matter standards established under 40 CFR 60 Subpart AAA-Standards of Performance for New Residential Wood Heaters or a manufacturer demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the ability to meet or exceed particulate matter standards established under 40 CFR 60 Subpart AAA.
????? OWBs emit significant levels of air toxic compounds, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and other pollutants.? Many of these pollutants are emitted in excessive quantities compared to other forms of residential combustion.? The growing popularity of these units may have a significant detrimental impact on Maine’s air quality and more importantly, because of their location near homes and poor dispersion characteristics, the most sensitive members of Maine’s population may be at greatest risk.? The American Lung Association of Maine (2006) considers OWBs to be “an emerging health threat” and “strongly cautions against the use of outdoor wood boilers for residential heating purposes.”? ATAC has reached the same conclusions and urges the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to review and implement the recommendations presented.? Furthermore, it is important to take action now to prevent air quality problems associated with OWBs from expanding as demand for OWBs increases.
