Wood heater nightmare in Melbourne
Our lives have never been the same since the next door neighbour installed a wood heater in suburban Melbourne a few years ago. Our home often fills with smoke when the wind is from the wrong direction or when there is little wind. It pollutes the entire street but we are worst affected due to close proximity.
I have installed PurpleAir monitors outside and indoors and levels of PM2.5 particles frequently spike to over 100 µg/m3. As an asthmatic who is very sensitive to smoke it has made living here a nightmare.
I purchased 2 air purifiers at a cost of $3,000 and have to run them constantly just in case the fire is lit. There are ongoing costs associated with running the filters which are borne by our household budget. It seems very unfair that we have ongoing costs due to someone else enjoying their cosy fire.
I did lodge a complaint with the local Council however they just asked the owner to provide an installation certificate (to a horrendously polluting standard). No action apart from this was taken despite evidence of high PM2.5 particles or visual smoke. I look forward to moving house eventually. Not because I want to but because of the neighbour. We no longer speak as she knew I contacted the Council.
I can’t enjoy my backyard while there is smoke and gardening is a hobby of mine. It feels like I have no right to clean air either inside or out. On health grounds alone, woodheaters in suburbia should be banned and removed but the industry would kick up such a political storm I fear this won’t happen in my lifetime. The general public is largely ignorant about the health effects or are in denial because it is their right to burn wood and it is legal. It’s time to stop burning stuff.