Are manufactured logs toxic or are they better than firewood?

Firewood and manufactured logs both pollute the air. Manufactured logs include petroleum wax, so you're not just burning wood products-you have a virtual mini-oil refinery in your fireplace (yes, we are over-stating it to make a point). Earth-friendlier options include Duraflame's All Natural Firelog with vegetable wax instead of petrol, and the Java-Log made from used coffee grounds, wood and vegetable by-products. Though these two logs are cleanerburning than fire-wood, they're still air polluters. Switch to gas, propane or wood pellet appliances if you can.