1. Town Meeting 2007 Article 31 Statement of the Board of Health Town of Sudbury

2. Board of Health Vote On March 8, 2007, the Board of Health voted to take NO POSITION on Article 31. On March 8, 2007, the Board of Health voted to take NO POSITION on Article 31. The petitioners did not bring Article 31 to the Board of Health at either a regular meeting or at a public hearing. The petitioners did not bring Article 31 to the Board of Health at either a regular meeting or at a public hearing. The petitioners did present Article 31 to the Planning Board and the Board of Selectmen. The petitioners did present Article 31 to the Planning Board and the Board of Selectmen.

3. Background Particulate matter in the air is a likely health hazard: Particulate matter in the air is a likely health hazard: Harvard Six City Study Harvard Six City Study American Cancer Society study American Cancer Society study Most common sources are: Most common sources are: Diesel and gasoline engines Diesel and gasoline engines Electricity production by fossil fuel burning power plants Electricity production by fossil fuel burning power plants Industrial (concrete, steel, grain milling, etc.) Industrial (concrete, steel, grain milling, etc.) Burning of solid fuel (i.e., wood) Burning of solid fuel (i.e., wood)

4. School bus smoke

5. Diesel truck smoke

6. Car exhaust

7. SUV exhaust

8. Fireplace smoke

9. Woodstove smoke

10. Solid Fuel Burning in Sudbury Outdoor burning – Fire Department has issued more than 800 permits in 2007 Outdoor burning – Fire Department has issued more than 800 permits in 2007 Fireplaces – very few are EPA certified Fireplaces – very few are EPA certified Woodstoves – estimates are that about 20% of woodstoves in Sudbury are EPA certified. No data are available to determine how many EPA certified woodstoves are properly operated Woodstoves – estimates are that about 20% of woodstoves in Sudbury are EPA certified. No data are available to determine how many EPA certified woodstoves are properly operated Outdoor wood-burning heaters – 3 in town Outdoor wood-burning heaters – 3 in town

11. Pending State Regulation On January 29, 2007, Federal EPA issued model regulations for outdoor wood-burning heaters On January 29, 2007, Federal EPA issued model regulations for outdoor wood-burning heaters Model regulations created in collaboration with Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) Model regulations created in collaboration with Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) Massachusetts DEP plans regulations for wood burning heaters (possibly including woodstoves and fireplaces) by the end of 2007 Massachusetts DEP plans regulations for wood burning heaters (possibly including woodstoves and fireplaces) by the end of 2007

12. Considerations for Town Meeting Fire safety Fire safety Property values Property values Appearance Appearance Possible effects on ecology Possible effects on ecology Possible effects on health Possible effects on health

13. Suggestions for Town Meeting Do not adopt Article 31 at this time Do not adopt Article 31 at this time Wait for state-wide regulations from DEP this fall Wait for state-wide regulations from DEP this fall If needed, town boards may collaborate to develop more comprehensive regulations (outdoor burning, fireplace construction, woodstove installation/replacement, outdoor wood heaters) If needed, town boards may collaborate to develop more comprehensive regulations (outdoor burning, fireplace construction, woodstove installation/replacement, outdoor wood heaters) Residents and businesses take action to reduce auto, truck, and bus exhaust Residents and businesses take action to reduce auto, truck, and bus exhaust

14. Thank you for your attention