Seven states, including Oregon, are suing the Environmental Protection Agency over health-damaging air pollution from outdoor wood-fired boilers that have become popular for residential heating.
The lawsuit fired Wednesday asks a federal court to order the EPA to review and adopt updated emissions limits for the boilers.
Jeff Manning of the Oregon Department of Justice says 25-year old rules should be updated to require sales of newer, cleaner-burning stoves. He says owners of old stoves will be allowed to keep the ones they have, and not be required to buy a new one.
EPA data says emissions from wood-burning devices account for 13 percent of all soot pollution in the U.S. Soot is linked to public health problems including asthma, heart attacks, and premature death.
EPA officials say they are reviewing the lawsuit and are in the process of developing new rules.