AP

Maricopa County plans to offer free modifications to wood-burning fireplaces or chimneys in 200 Phoenix-area homes to produce less air pollution.

A $300,000 pilot program approved by the Board of Supervisors will either retrofit chimneys with catalytic conversion technology or convert wood-burning fireplaces to natural gas.

The Air Quality Department says emissions from burning wood in fireplaces contribute to breathing-related health issues such as acute asthma symptoms that require hospitalizations.

Officials say funding for the program is coming from money paid as penalties or settlements.

The boundaries of the program are Baseline Road on the south, 59th Avenue on the West, Northern Avenue on the north and 16th Street on the east.

Most of the area is in Phoenix. Some is in Glendale.

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