Respect efforts to fight wood smoke

In the "Where there's smoke" article about wood smoke, Mr. Dubinski and the Breathe Healthy Air Coalition are messengers informing people of the health concerns of wood smoke.

So let's focus on the facts and not shoot the messengers and not act disrespectful.

Second-hand smoke and wood smoke is very harmful. I am a perfect example because I have so much difficulty breathing anywhere near any kind of smoke. I have never smoked in my entire life.

Fact: Involuntarily breathing a neighbor's wood smoke negatively affects our health. A child in her room, a person with an existing breathing illness, an elderly person, even a healthy person is harmed by wood smoke coming into their home.

Fact: Even if your home is closed -- and why should we have to do that? -- wood smoke will get in.

Fact: Wood smoke is a major air pollution problem. Do we want to wait until we can't even breathe outdoors and also "see" what we are breathing like they do in Los Angeles and other cities?

Fact: Those who voluntarily convert their indoor wood burning fireplaces to electric or gas will save health costs, our air and lives.

The Breathe Healthy Air Coalition is probably comprised of our friends, neighbors and family. Let's show them the respect they deserve for trying to protect our family's health.

Rosemary Glaubitz

Elk Grove Village