Pollution
The Dangers of Pollution:
As of the 21st century, growing levels of pollution have contributed to 6.5 million deaths per year. Air pollution in particular (the release of pollutants into the air) causes skin and lung irritation and lasting blood disorders. Dioxins, lead and mercury pollutants can also cause significant damage to the immune, reproductive and central nervous systems.
The origin of these pollutants ranges from wildfires to the release of industrial chemicals to burning fossil fuels resulting in harmful smog, radiation, increased pollen production and the extreme weather. However, the most destructive consequence of pollution is the rising of global surface temperatures – this causes sea levels to rise and the transmission of infectious diseases far more probable. Cities of dangerously high pollution levels are no longer limited to industrial powerhouses like New Delhi and Beijing; London and Los Angeles are rapidly catching up. As the ‘State of the Air’ Association reported in 2017, 125 million Americans lived in counties of elevated particle pollution. Escalated surface temperatures could be one of the prime contributors of the devastating natural disasters that hit America in 2017.
Combating pollution doesn’t have to start on a global scale – we can start it ourselves at home. It can be as simple as cycling to work, or recycling waste goods and generating electricity via solar panels. Buying locally-sourced food and products also reduces the levels of fossil fuels needed in transportation, so it also pays to shop with small businesses too.
Wood-Burning Pollution:
The process of burning wood and coal also contributes to higher levels of air pollutants within our homes. London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Environmental Secretary Michael Gove have both expressed disdain towards the 1.5 million wood stoves already fitted in Britain (with a further 200,000 sold every year). Gove shows an interest in the banning of house coal and unseasoned wood, despite smokeless alternatives being considerably more expensive.
In 2015, 40% of the UK’s particulates originated from domestic stoves and fireplaces, double what was produced by diesel cars. Khan has outlined his ideas for awarding local governments the authority to fine those in high pollution areas who continue to use wood or coal as their primary heating source. Firemizer has backing from Nottingham and Cambridge Universities who have independently tested and confirmed the product’s claims of conserving solid fuel resources whilst improving heat output.
Omni-Test Laboratories in Oregon also concluded that it reduces pollutants (produced by burning wood and coal) by up to 72%. This means that Firemizer can not only help you save up to a third of your wood or coal costs (meaning less solid fuel used overall and less fossil fuel used on transportation if sourced locally), but also it can significantly reduce the harmful pollutants released into your home and potentially prevent those in high-emission areas from receiving fines.
More reading on the dangers of pollution: