Whether for warmth or relaxation, many people appreciate a cozy fireplace. Fireplaces seem to promote our emotional well being by allowing our minds to concentrate on that unique aroma and that crackling sound. Fireplaces offer an opportunity for a brief escape.

But, are fireplaces, and let's include within this inquiry wood burning stoves, good for our physical health? They may not be that good for us, especially for people who suffer from allergies or asthma. You see, anything that burns releases gas and irritants into the atmosphere. Some people, it seems, are more bothered by these releases than others.

According to Canada's New Brunswick Lung Association, wood burning creates smoke that contains compounds which become air bound. When many wood stoves or fireplaces are in operation in a small area, this concentrated pollution can result in health problems, especially for those already suffering from asthma and other long diseases.

Breathing wood smoke emissions is similar to breathing in second hand cigarette smoke, according to this Canadian public health organization. It also advises that inhaling smoke pollutants can be particularly harmful to the development of young children.

Smoke pollution is measured in grams per hour, and one gram is approximately the amount of smoke released from a cigarette. Older wood burning stoves release 40 grams into the air. New EPA certified stoves release much less smoke, and therefore would seem to be healthier. The amounts of released smoke can be reduced by up to 90 percent and carbon monoxide can be reduced by 60 percent.

Smoke from wood burning can enter into our lungs and cause tissue damage as well as respiratory problems.Carbon monoxide is also released during wood burning. This can reduce our body's ability to supply necessary oxygen to body tissues. And oxides and hydrocarbons that are released can injure the lungs and reduce the lung's resistance to infection.

In addition, carbon monoxide can poison home dwellers. As we should all know by now, it is important to install at least one carbon monoxide detection device. More than one is often needed for proper protection.

Pellet stoves are considered to be one of the most efficient kinds of stoves that are currently available. These stoves use compressed and dried wood byproducts, such as sawdust, which is control fed into the fire using an electronically controlled.

As to fireplaces, the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases has advised that fireplace smoke releases chemicals which can cause respiratory reactions in certain people. And the American Lung Association recommends that persons with allergies and asthma would be best off if they reduce fireplace exposure.

Its not just wood burning that can cause problems; its any burning. Last year, there was much attention paid to a university study that suggested that gas cooking stoves, the kinds found in kitchens, can also make life difficult for asthma sufferers. It indicated that asthmatics that use gas stoves are more likely to require emergency room attention and regular medical attention than those without gas stoves.

I do not know how conclusive this all is. Perhaps, HMOS will one day reimburse problem prone homeowners for conversions to electric cooking stoves. Maybe, but asthma sufferers should not hold their breath.

The information provided in this column is written by Stuart Lieberman,a practicing environmental attorney, and is for general information purposes only. It is not legal advice and should not be used in place of legal advice.

Stuart Lieberman, Esq., and IRED.Com, Inc., will not accept any responsibilty for any reliance on the information in this column or any damages whatsoever resulting from reading this column.