Fireplaces not major source of pollution, relatively speaking

Re: Metro considers whether it should regulate woodsmoke; In urban areas, emissions from fireplaces and wood stoves trigger complaints, neighbour disputes and may be a health issue, Nov. 7.

Thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of fossil- burning cars, trucks, and buses daily traverse two major thoroughfares and Highway 99, all within a few minutes walk of our 30- year- old Richmond home.

Flanked by YVR’s two major eastwest runways, we endure an almost constant flow of overhead traffic spewing jet- fuel residue that drifts down onto backyard vegetables and water barrels.

Huge, stinky, noisy garbage and recycling trucks churn up dust and debris as they speed through our neighbourhood.

While we own one car, most in our street have four, five, six, even seven parked every evening and overnight in their garages, driveways, and every available spot on the street.

And countless homes, not to mention apartments and factories, still legitimately heat with oil most months of the year.

Yet apparently, a more pressing health menace is the occasional cosy weekend fire my husband and I enjoy in our wood- burning fireplace of a wintry afternoon.

Do the powers- that- be at Metro Vancouver possess any common sense?

One would think they’d be grateful — when the big one hits, at least those with intact fireplaces will keep warm and dry. RUTH ALSEMGEEST Richmond