Addressing Worker and Community Health Impacts of Institutional and Large-Scale Biomass Burning

Bolstered by renewable energy tax and other incentives, the Northeast has seen a proliferation of wood-burning to generate electrical power and heat for industries and institutions. Proponents argue that wood is a renewable resource that can be burned cleanly and efficiently, while providing "green jobs" that stimulate local economies. Yet the impacts of wood-burning on health have not been systematically taken into account in policy-making. The objective of this project is to stimulate close attention to worker and community health impacts as the development of biomass energy goes forward. Methods include: (a) assessing community and worker health impacts from production and combustion of wood biomass, and current policies aimed at protecting public health, via literature/policy reviews and key informant interviews; (b) engaging health experts and leaders in discussion about risks to health from wood biomass burning, and about policy solutions; (c) hosting a policy symposium with leaders from energy, environment and public health agencies to begin a constructive dialogue about policy solutions. Preliminary results include evidence of health risks to workers from the production and delivery of wood fuel and risks to community residents from boiler emissions and truck traffic. Priority policy opportunities identified include consideration of peak exposures in air quality regulation; using comprehensive health impact assessments in policy planning, permitting and siting decisions; removing barriers to the introduction of cleaner-burning technologies, among others. A framework for taking into account worker public health impacts early in decision-making on "green technologies" will be presented.