Dear Editor
Although I respect those who are inflamed about the CRC docks I think we have bigger fish to fry here on Bowen. Perhaps I am wrong about this, but after living on Bowen for many years, I can feel the effects of wood smoke for the first time. Perhaps our good friends might review their priorities and focus on issues that affect us all.
Even though humans have burned wood for thousands of years, scientists have only recently discovered just how hazardous wood smoke pollution is to our health.
Hundreds of studies have now documented the harmful health effects of wood smoke pollution. Yet many people remain unaware of the facts or refuse to accept them.
The current situation is similar to the way we used to treat second-hand tobacco smoke. By the time the public finally accepted just how hazardous second-hand smoke was, there had already been incalculable damage to human life.
There's good reason to be even more concerned about wood smoke pollution than about second-hand tobacco smoke, since it is more hazardous: according to the US EPA, the lifetime cancer risk from wood smoke is estimated to be 12 times greater than from a similar amount of cigarette smoke.
The time has come for all of us to acknowledge the real dangers of burning wood.
Lary Waldman
