Restrict wood boilers

Now that the public hearing process has concluded, it's time for the Department of Environmental Conservation to swiftly adopt their proposed rules to restrict the use of outdoor wood boilers so north county residents can breathe easier. Further delay in implementing reasonable stack requirements and setback limits would be a terrible mistake that would adversely affect public health. The emissions from outdoor wood boilers create dirty pollutant-laden air that hinders people's ability to breathe and can cause serious health problems. These proposed regulations would improve air quality and go a long way toward protecting New Yorkers' health.

With the winter months quickly approaching, many New Yorkers who live close to outdoor wood boilers will suffer through another winter breathing in unhealthy air pollution. While some municipalities have chosen to regulate the devices on the local level, others have chosen to hold off on local action in anticipation of a statewide rule.

According to the Lung Association's 2010 State of the Air Report, more than 12 million New Yorkers live in counties where unhealthy air threatens their lives and health. It's time for all New Yorkers to be granted some protection and relief from the pollution caused by outdoor wood boilers. For the millions of New Yorkers with lung disease, that relief can't come soon enough.

Scott T. Santarella

Albany

The writer is president and CEO, American Lung Association in New York.