Dealing with neighbors' wood fireplace smoke (grill, air conditioning, heat, tanks)

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by kibblesandbits

My husband and I are thinking about buying our first house this summer and I am worried about buying a house near neighbors who use their fireplaces. Can anything be done about this?

I imagine this is a pretty common problem.

Yes... you can move to the SF Bay Area where they often issue no burn days and nights and no new home is allowed to have a wood burning fireplace...

It sounds like you need to move to San Francisco...

[southernnaturelover]

The OP would hate it where I live. They just did a controlled burn on 1600 acres at the Air Force base last night, now that's some smoke. Ahhh, smells good!

[Convert 54]

I had to leave the party early. I was having chest tightness and my throat hurt. I went home and did a bunch of research online, and found out that wood smoke from fireplaces or wood burning stoves is toxic! I had no idea. I have often smelled the nice wood smoke smell from chimneys in the neighborhood on a cold winter's night. It turns out that the smoke is highly toxic and can cause lung cancer, lung damage and heart disease.

I was only in front of the fire/enveloped in the smoke for 15 minutes, but even days after I am still feeling the after effects--tight chest, sore throat. I don't have asthma or anything like that, and I have never smoked a cigarette. These sensations developed while I was sitting in front of the fire and are lingering. I felt that the air was saturated with the smoke from the fire, I felt like there wasn't any fresh air at all. I am very worried that I am having lung damage occurring already from this.

From another post. I wouldnt waste further time with this thread. Its self defeating

[gentlearts]

I love the smell of a wood fire burning, BUT if smoke is getting into your house there may be either a problem with your house, or a problem with the neighbor's fireplace. Maybe you could ask your local fire dept to send someone to check it out while its happening. They can tell you if there is a problem or if you are over reacting.

[gentlearts]

Originally Posted by Ultrarunner

Yes... you can move to the SF Bay Area where they often issue no burn days and nights and no new home is allowed to have a wood burning fireplace...

It sounds like you need to move to San Francisco...

Oh Lord,what will those people think of next? No taking a crap on odd numbered days?

[Kelticnomad]

Convert thank U...wow more comments here than watching & responding to our Congress and taking responsibility to email them on our Mess in the country...Wow I was shocked at such negative comments...why what for...Ok my reality...I love a Wood Burning STove..its so lovely ..the smells....BUT Guess What My Lungs are going bananas...yep make me sad but I'm allergic to wood burning stoves....makes me sad so please be kind as you judge....just listen to what othes are saying...Hey I say Good for You that you have lungs Good as A Gorilla...me I know i'm envious ..but whatever the reason this orig post the smells unseasoned woods or the Mother Nature winds are blowing in different directions... be understanding please ...

[texdav]

well; our ancestors didn't live very long lifes. In fact smoke is toxic to breathe constantly. It also causes flare ups of lung problems which is why many communties are limiting burning fireplaces and other burning.

[Gaffer]

There are negative comments here??

[bibit612]

I LOVE the smell of burning wood in a fireplace...makes me miss the marshmallows and chestnuts we used to roast when we were up north. It's winter in all of its glory!

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by Kelticnomad

BUT Guess What My Lungs are going bananas...yep make me sad but I'm allergic to wood burning stoves....makes me sad:crying...

I work in the medical field and I'm sorry I didn't mention air filtration in my previous post.

People with acute lung sensitivity or hyper-sensitive lungs should consider upgrading their Heating and Ventilation to Operating Room Quality Air at a minimum...

It is amazing what can be done using HEPA Bag filters, pre-filters and humidity control... combine that with modern low air infiltration construction and you should be set...

New Extreme Energy Efficient Building products do an excellent job of keeping outside air outside....

You can also optionally purchase special filters for High End Autos as a factory accessory... even lower price BMW's and Mercedes do a good job with cabin filtration.