Re: "Wood smoke burns PoCo resident," Wednesday, Jan. 2.

Thank you for the good coverage of Ray Reinmuth's assault by wood smoke from a neighbourhood chimney.

Wood smoke is so pervasive and so toxic that it presents a serious pollution problem everywhere.

It is time for cities and lawmakers to take all complaints seriously. Wood smoke contains a host of the same toxic chemicals that are in tobacco smoke, and is every bit as deadly as bullets.

The smoke from just one fire can send anyone to the emergency room or the morgue.

The Harvard School of Public Health confirms that wood smoke is a cause of premature death in people of all ages, with children among the most vulnerable with their smaller, still developing lungs.

How can Mr. Reinmuth's city not protect him and his family, when the health effects of wood smoke are so well documented? The smoke violates most nuisance bylaws. That is incredible and totally wrong.

With worldwide concerns about weapons of mass destruction, wood smoke should be considered for the widespread harm it does by causing premature death in growing ranks of people.

Let's all work for a safer world and stop the destruction of public health and our environment by stopping wood burning.

Julie Mellum Minneapolis, Minn.