Did you know that Benjamin Franklin helped to invent the first wood stove? Well, he did. It was a cast iron wood stove with two doors and a large pot. This pot was used to hold firewood when the stove was lit. The two doors helped to control both the fire.
Traditionally, wood was used in fireplaces that were used to warm up people’s houses. That was where the idea of a wood stove was conceived. After invention of the wood stove, the old roles were amended to preparation and cooking as well as warming up houses.
Though efficient, the continued use of these wood stoves was found to have adverse effects on both the environment and the health of people. These effects were noted by environmental organizations.
To start with, people used wood that had been treated with chemicals. When burnt, the chemicals in the wood would produce carcinogens which had severe effects on the immune system. When inhaled, these carcinogens would interfere with the normal functions of the respiratory system. It was also found to cause irritation to the eyes.
But technology has improved the makes and models of the wood stoves. This has helped to reduce the negative effects that were previously associated with wood stoves. These new models also provided more efficiency compared to the original models.
The American government has also put in place regulations that will govern the safety and health effects of the wood stoves on sale. The Agency on Environment Protection has been mandated to check every product so as to ascertain that they meet the standards put in place before they get to the consumers.
