Why does the US EPA regulate and certify wood burning appliances?

Older residential wood burning stoves were one of the nation's largest sources of particulate matter (smoke). 
Wood smoke also contains significant amounts of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and many other organic compounds. These pollutants are known to cause respiratory and cardiovascular illness and contribute to atmospheric visibility problems and property damage. 
The EPA regulations require woodstove manufacturers to produce stoves that emit less pollution.

As consumers replaced their older woodstoves with cleaner, more efficient, new EPa approved stoves, the quality of the air has improved, particularly in residential neighborhoods where wood burning stoves are popular.

Be sure and ask your local stove dealer about the high efficient, clean burning catalytic stoves and watch for my future articles on "Buying an EPA-Certified Woodstove".