Question for Marc re wood heat

> Mark, a while back you said:
> Hmmm, that is interesting... aside from the warmth they generate,
> are fire stoves and fireplaces *healthy* ?  I would think they
> increase the amount of positive ions and degrade the quality
> of the air...
>
By what mechanism would fire create positive ions? They use up some
oxygen, but I have never heard it suggested that they create ions.
Regarding the oxygen, it is my theory that since hot air leaves the
house through the chimney, fresh air of the same volume must be entering the  
house via nooks and crannies. This would result in more fresh air in the
house.
I have always found wood heat to be very, very comfortable. It warms
my body in a way no other kind of heating does. And it does not produce or
broadcast any harmful high frequencies, as other heating systems all do in one
way or another.
Regards,
Shivani


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[hidden email] wrote:
>>Mark, a while back you said:
>>Hmmm, that is interesting... aside from the warmth they generate,
>>are fire stoves and fireplaces *healthy* ? I would think they
>>increase the amount of positive ions and degrade the quality
>>of the air...
>>
> By what mechanism would fire create positive ions?

Well, I think someone already pointed out that fire creates
negative ions, which would explain why people find it so
comforting.

Marc