MARYSVILLE — Last year, a wood stove buyback program reached up to 80 local households, according to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.

This year with $110,000 in state funding, the clean air authority is hoping to reach even more residents.

During colder months, agency officials have indicated older wood burning stoves could be responsible for more than 50 percent of the particulates in the air locally. The amount of particulate matter measured in Marysville has been “banging up against” federal limits for at least two years, said Amy Warren, a communications specialist for the clean air authority.

“They are not exceeding it,” Warren said. “But they are nudging right up to it.”

In an effort to head off violating federal standards, Marysville will receive what Warren described as one of the largest shares of the available funding for the new stove buyback initiative. Having already violated clean air standards, only Tacoma will receive more.

According to information provided by the Puget Sound air agency, old, uncertified wood stoves produce excessive wood smoke and that smoke can be the source of more than 80 percent of air quality problems on winter nights.

Again, according to the clean air group, wood smoke consists of fine particles along with what was described as a toxic mix of carcinogens. The particulate matter is small enough to penetrate deep into your lungs and is associated with health effects ranging from burning eyes to asthma attacks and even heart attacks or strokes.

Children, older adults and people with heart disease and asthma or other lung problems are the most vulnerable.

“We encourage people to take advantage of this great opportunity to replace their old, uncertified wood stoves and fireplace inserts with much cleaner and more efficient heating choices,’ said Dennis McLerran, executive director of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.

In general, homeowners can receive up to $750 towards purchase of a certified wood stove or fireplace insert. If a change is made to natural gas, propane or some other high efficiency stove, financial incentives can reach as much as $1,500. Rebates are also higher for low-income homeowners.

To replace stoves through the program, homeowners work with participating contractors to choose their new appliance and the discount is applied at the time of sale. A number of other incentives and offers are available from various other sources, such as the Snohomish County PUD.

The program is run on a first-come, first-served basis and will last as long funding is available. For further details or for a program application, call 1-888-859-5799 or go to www.pscleanair.org/woodstove.replacement.