Smoke from burning of any source — including prescribed burns, debris burning, wood stoves, garbage burning and other open burning — has affected my health, causing sinusitis, vocal cord dysfunction, dry eye irritation and lung distress.
Eleven of the 12 counties in Montana monitored for particulate pollution received an F grade from the American Lung Association.
All this pollution is not just from wildfires. We do not typically have wildfires most of the year. Generally, the worst months for wildfires are July and August, with some lasting into September and October.
Other wood and debris burning occurs year-round, increasing exposure to already compromised lungs.
We can mulch vegetable matter, cut trees, mow or graze forested lands, and take our garbage to the landfill. Wood stoves can be made more smoke-free or replaced with cleaner energy sources.
We will all suffer lung issues if we continue to fill our air with smoke.
