State: Snowbound residents burning wood, creating unhealthy air

Along with the massive power outages and other storm damage from last weekend's nor'easter, central and western Connecticut also have to deal with high levels of air pollution.

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the state Department of Public Health issued an alert today that air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups in Fairfield, New Haven and Hartford counties. Sam Sampieri, environmental analyst for DEEP, said the main cause is the increased burning of wood in wood stoves and fireplaces being used to heat homes without power. The use of gasoline-powered generators, along with snow pack and light winds, are also contributing to the particle pollution, he said.

The pollution is not expected to reach New London county, Sampieri said.

In a news release, DEEP Commissioner Daniel C. Esty said the air pollution "has cast a brown haze in the air" in affected areas.

"This condition should improve as weather conditions change and because fewer people will burn wood and run generators as power is restored to more homes," he said. "For those who must continue to burn wood and run generators, please keep some good common sense rules in mind. Burn only seasoned wood and make sure to run your stove or furnace as efficiently as possible. and, if you are operating a generator, please run it only when absolutely necessary."

Esty also reminded those operating generators to make sure they are well ventilated to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

There have also been an increased number of reported incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning, several of which have been fatal, he said.

The particle pollution can worsen heart and lung problems in the elderly, young children and those with asthma and other respiratory ailments. Dr. Jewel Mullen, public health commissioner, urged those affected by the air pollution to stay indoors and avoid vigorous activity or exercise. They should also continue taking regular medications and seek health care if they have chest pain or shortness of breath.

Weather conditions are expected to help improve air quality by Friday, as increasing northwesterly winds should dissipate the lingering particle pollution.

For information on air quality, visit: http://www.ct.gov/dep/aqi. For information on wood burning, visit: http://www.ct.gov/dep/air and follow the link to Wood Burning. For information on carbon monoxide, visit: http://www.ct.gov/dph/co.