I love smoked food.
Its not great for you, but I love smoked meats, fish and cheese.
And I really love Texas barbecue. I could eat it every day. I travel miles out of my way to try a new barbecue place.
Nonetheless, I would never want to live in a smoker. That would be terrible. Its one thing to be a piece of meat in a smoker. Its another, to be a human being in a smoker.
But ill functioning wood burning stoves and fireplaces can cause problems for neighbors. They can literally smoke neighbors out, making them helpless and sick in their own homes. Especially people located next to ill functioning stoves.
Wood can be dangerous when it is burned and the smoke is inhaled.
Wood smoke contains poisonous and cancer-causing chemicals. Smoke can enter the lungs by attaching to tiny particles that are too small to be filtered by the nose and upper respiratory systems.
Breathing wood smoke can cause angina , irritate lungs and eyes ,trigger headaches. The smoke can also hinder judgment , slow reflexes and worsen respiratory diseases.
To avoid nasty emails, yes, I believe people should enjoy their homes, and yes, I am not, per se, against wood burning stoves or fire places.
But, I do not think that one neighbor has the right to interfere with another's use and enjoyment of his property. Ill functioning stoves and fireplaces must be fixed so that they do not cause harm to innocent neighbors.
So if your stove isn't bothering any one -- great, except to the extent it is polluting the air. But if you are placing others in harm's way, or even just making their lives miserable, I think that you need to stop.
No one has the right to unreasonably interfere with a neighbor's use of his home, and his health. Since wood burning stoves are seldom absolutely required in modern society, if your smoke is hurting a neighbor, you simply have to stop what you are doing and find a way to fix the situation..
What if your neighbor is driving you crazy and will not stop?
- Consult with your local health ordinances. Some regulate these stoves specifically. Others do so in more general terms. See if your local officials will help you.
- If not, consult with a lawyer. While there are never guarantees, a lawyer should know how to best deal with this kind of neighbor.
- Do not resort to "self help." That will usually just make problems worse for you.
Smoke does sometimes get in your eyes. But if your neighbor's wood burning stove or fireplace is making you miserable, you have rights. I suggest that you pursue those rights.
