Wood Burners: Pollution And Health Risks?

Wood burners are a common feature in many homes, but they are a significant source of indoor and outdoor air pollution, with serious health and environmental implications. Burning wood releases harmful emissions, including particle pollution, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds, which can cause respiratory issues, cardiovascular problems, and even cancer. Despite the perception that wood burning is a natural and eco-friendly practice, it contributes to climate change and releases more carbon dioxide than oil or gas for the same amount of heat. With growing awareness of the negative impacts of wood burners, regulations and initiatives, such as smoke control areas and no-burn days, are being implemented to improve air quality and protect public health.

Wood burners emit carbon monoxide, a harmful gas

Wood burners are a popular way to heat homes, offering an unparalleled source of warmth and comfort. However, it is important to be aware of the dangers associated with their use, particularly the emission of carbon monoxide (CO), a harmful gas.

Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, and highly poisonous gas that can be deadly if inhaled in high concentrations. It is produced when fuels such as gas, oil, coal, and wood are incompletely combusted. In the context of wood-burning stoves, carbon monoxide is released when the ideal fuel-to-air ratio is not maintained during combustion. This toxic gas can accumulate indoors, especially in poorly ventilated spaces, and pose a severe threat to human health.

The dangers of carbon monoxide lie in its ability to bind to haemoglobin in the blood, reducing its oxygen transport capacity. This can lead to oxygen deprivation and carbon monoxide poisoning, resulting in severe health issues and even death. Initial symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and a general feeling of being unwell. More alarmingly, excessive tiredness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating can also occur, impairing judgment and hindering the ability to recognize the risk.

To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning from wood-burning stoves, several precautions must be taken. Firstly, ensure proper installation by engaging a HETAS-approved installer to minimize the risk of gas leaks. Regular maintenance is crucial, including cleaning the stove, removing ash and debris, and scheduling annual professional inspections to clean and clear blockages from the chimney, flue, and flue pipes. Additionally, it is essential to have a functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detector installed in the same room as the wood-burning appliance. Maintaining adequate ventilation by keeping doors and windows open during stove usage is also vital to prevent carbon monoxide build-up.

In summary, while wood-burning stoves provide warmth and comfort, they also emit carbon monoxide, a harmful and potentially deadly gas. Taking the necessary precautions to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning is crucial for the safe operation of these stoves and the well-being of those who enjoy their warmth.

Burning wood releases particle pollution, impacting health

Wood burners have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many people seeking to create a cosy atmosphere or believing them to be a greener and cheaper source of heat. However, burning wood releases particle pollution, impacting health and the environment.

Wood-burning releases harmful emissions both indoors and outdoors, affecting air quality in homes, gardens, and neighbourhoods. These emissions include particle pollution, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, methane, and volatile organic compounds. The toxins in wood smoke are carried through the air on microscopic particles of wood, eventually making their way into the lungs, bloodstreams, and brains of humans and animals. The particles are so small that they can pass through ordinary dust masks and even infiltrate homes from outside through closed windows and doors.

The health risks associated with wood-burning emissions are significant. People with lung disease, children, older adults, people with cardiovascular disease, and diabetics are particularly vulnerable. Exposure to wood smoke can cause coughing, wheezing, asthma attacks, heart attacks, and has been linked to premature death. Scientific studies have linked particle pollution to various health problems, including diminished lung function, respiratory ailments, and stroke. The Chief Medical Officer's 2022 Annual Report on Air Pollution highlights the dangers of wood-burning emissions.

The impact of wood-burning pollution can be particularly acute in densely populated neighbourhoods, as more people are exposed to the smoke in a small area. Residential wood-burning is a major source of particle pollution in many communities, with some studies showing that it contributes more fine particle pollution than road transport. For example, in California, residential wood-burning creates more PM2.5 pollution than all motor vehicles on the road combined. Similarly, in London, residential wood-burning has contributed to air pollution levels described as a "health crisis."

To reduce the impact of wood-burning emissions, it is recommended to avoid burning wood, especially during high pollution days. Alternative heat sources, such as solar panels, electric, or geothermal heat pumps, are encouraged. If burning wood is necessary, using dry wood and ensuring the appliance is clean and maintained can help reduce the amount of pollution produced.

Wood smoke contributes to climate change

Wood burners, including eco-friendly ones, produce toxic air pollution that negatively impacts human health and the environment. Burning wood releases particle pollution, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide (CO2)—a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

Studies have found that wood-burning is the largest single source of black carbon and other short-lived climate forcers. In Switzerland, wood burning contributed to 33% of black carbon emissions, while in Canada, residential wood burning was responsible for 27% of the country's black carbon emissions—more than the emissions from the entire oil and gas industry (10%). In coastal California, organic carbon from wood smoke was found to have light-absorbing properties, contributing to climate change. A separate study in France concluded that stronger regulation of residential wood burning would improve air quality and have positive climate impacts.

Additionally, burning wood releases other harmful toxins such as nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and formaldehyde. These pollutants contribute to particle pollution, ozone depletion, and poor air quality, both indoors and outdoors. As a result, wood smoke can cause coughing, wheezing, asthma attacks, heart attacks, and even premature death, especially in vulnerable individuals such as children, older adults, and people with lung or cardiovascular disease.

Wood burners produce over 100 toxic, cancer-causing chemicals

One of the most significant issues with wood burners is the emission of toxic chemicals, including volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzene, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide. PAHs are formed during the combustion of organic matter and are known human carcinogens, classified as such by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). They have been linked to DNA damage, skin ageing, and cancer. Benzo(a)pyrene, a type of PAH, is also present in tobacco smoke and has been extensively studied for its role in promoting cancer in smokers. The amount of benzo(a)pyrene released by burning one kilogram of wood is equivalent to the amount produced by lighting 27,333 cigarettes.

Wood smoke is a complex mixture of gases and fine particles, many of which are hazardous and carcinogenic. These particles can lodge in the lungs, leading to respiratory issues and aggravating cardiovascular problems. Even occasional exposure to wood smoke can cause watery eyes, stuffy noses, and chest tightness. The smoke also contains nitrogen oxides, which contribute to particle pollution and harm health both indoors and outdoors.

The impact of wood burners on indoor air quality is significant. Wood-burning stoves and fireplaces can release smoke and toxic chemicals into the home, especially when improperly installed, vented, or maintained. Carbon monoxide, an odourless and colourless gas, can cause serious health issues by binding to haemoglobin and preventing oxygen transport in the body. Carbon dioxide, another byproduct of wood burning, acts as a simple asphyxiant, reducing the available oxygen in a room and contributing to climate change.

The use of wood burners has been linked to an increased level of harmful pollution inside homes, with research showing that wood-burning stoves in urban areas are responsible for almost half of people's exposure to cancer-causing chemicals found in air pollution particles. This highlights the need for suitable mitigation methods to reduce emissions from wood burners and protect public health.

Wood burning is a bigger cancer risk than vehicle pollution

Wood burners, even the eco-friendly ones, produce toxic air pollution that impacts our health and the environment. Burning wood releases particle pollution into our homes, gardens, and neighbourhoods, which has a negative impact on our local environment and the health of the people who live there.

Wood burning stoves in urban areas are responsible for almost half of people’s exposure to cancer-causing chemicals found in air pollution particles. New research has shown that the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in tiny pollution particles are produced by burning fuels and have long been known to have carcinogenic effects. An analysis done in Athens, Greece, found that wood burning produced more PAHs than diesel fuel or petrol used in vehicles. The researchers were clear that this was not an unusual case. They said that home wood burning was a significant issue for urban air quality throughout Europe and that excessive exposure to wood smoke could cause severe health issues.

Wood burning emits climate pollutants that contribute to global warming. Wood smoke adds carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogen oxide to the air, which are significant pollutants that contribute to climate change. It also emits toxins such as PAHs, dioxins, benzene, mercury, and formaldehyde into our environment. Many of these are harmful persistent chemicals that don't readily break down in the environment and build up inside human and animal body tissues.

Residential wood burning creates more PM2.5 pollution in California than the exhaust emissions of all motor vehicles on the road. An Italian study found that benzo(a)pyrene levels were highest in “peripheral areas” where the major source of pollution was residential wood burning, rather than vehicles. The exception was in urban Milan, where emissions were found to come from wood-burning pizzerias as well as cars.

Wood burning is particularly harmful to children, older adults, and people with lung disease, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes. Emissions from wood smoke can cause coughing, wheezing, asthma attacks, heart attacks, and premature death, among other health effects. It is recommended that these vulnerable groups stay indoors and avoid breathing smoke, ashes, and other pollution in the area when there is wood-burning pollution in their neighborhood.

Frequently asked questions