Helena Joyce
Wood smoke is a complex mixture of gases and fine particles, including toxic air pollutants. It contains over 100 different chemicals and compounds, such as carbon monoxide, methane, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dioxins, lead, cadmium, and arsenic. These microscopic particles can enter the lungs, causing irritation and inflammation, and can even lead to structural damage and chemical changes in the internal environment. Residential wood smoke is a significant contributor to fine particle pollution, especially during winter, and has been linked to various health issues, including respiratory and cardiovascular problems. With its potential to cause harm, understanding and mitigating the impact of wood smoke on human health and the environment is essential.
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What You'll Learn
Particulate matter (PM)
Wood smoke is a major contributor to global particulate matter (PM) air pollution. It is made up of a complex mixture of gases and fine particles, also known as particle pollution, or PM. The particles in wood smoke can reduce visibility and create environmental and aesthetic damage in communities and scenic areas.
PM from wood smoke is especially harmful to human health. The particles are small enough to bypass the nose and upper respiratory system and enter the lungs, where they can cause burning eyes, a runny nose, and illnesses such as bronchitis. They can also aggravate asthma symptoms and trigger asthma attacks. PM can also have adverse cardiopulmonary and neurological consequences, triggering heart attacks, strokes, irregular heart rhythms, and heart failure, especially in people who are already at risk.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 4 million people worldwide die prematurely each year from diseases caused by the domestic burning of biomass. In the US, airborne PM from wood burning may be responsible for 10,000–40,000 premature deaths annually.
Residential wood burning is a significant contributor to PM pollution in many neighbourhoods and communities. In the winter, when air becomes stagnant due to temperature inversions, fine particulates from wood smoke are trapped close to the ground in our breathing space. This is particularly problematic in densely populated neighbourhoods, where more people are exposed to the smoke in a small area.
The impact of wood smoke on human health depends on the fuel and burning conditions. For example, flaming combustion PM0.1 from hardwoods has been shown to activate a biomarker for mucin gene expression associated with mucus production in pulmonary diseases. However, no bioactivity was observed for smouldering and incomplete combustion.
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Gases, including carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides
Wood smoke is a complex mixture of particles and gases, including carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. It contains over 100 different chemicals and compounds, including particulate matter, methane, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dioxins, lead, cadmium, and arsenic. The biggest health threat from wood smoke comes from the inhalation of fine particles, which are known as PM2.5. These particles are too small to be filtered by the nose and upper respiratory system, allowing them to enter and remain in the lungs, causing structural damage and chemical changes.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a particularly harmful gas present in wood smoke. It is a colorless, odorless, and toxic gas that can have serious health consequences, including headaches, nausea, dizziness, and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. CO is dangerous because it binds to haemoglobin in the blood, preventing oxygen from being transported throughout the body. This can lead to hypoxia, tissue damage, and even death in severe cases.
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are another significant component of wood smoke. These gases contribute to the formation of smog and ground-level ozone, which are harmful to human health and the environment. NOx gases can irritate the lungs and exacerbate respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They are also associated with increased risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular problems.
The presence of these gases, along with other pollutants in wood smoke, poses a serious health risk to individuals, especially those with pre-existing heart or lung conditions, children, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems. It is important to minimize exposure to wood smoke, especially for those who are more susceptible to its harmful effects. This can be achieved through the use of cleaner heating sources, improving ventilation, and implementing policies and regulations to reduce wood smoke emissions.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the efficient burning of wood can help reduce the amount of smoke produced. Using certified wood-burning appliances, such as heat pumps, pellet stoves, or EPA-certified wood stoves, can significantly decrease smoke emissions and minimize the release of harmful gases, including carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, into the environment and surrounding communities.
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Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
The IARC Group 1 carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is extensively studied among PAHs and is used as a marker for PAH toxicity. The European Union has set an air quality standard for the carcinogenic risk of PAHs with the directive 2004/107/EC, which highlights the necessity of measurement for several PAHs and sets an annual target value for BaP.
The level and profile of PAHs in wood smoke depend on the type of wood and the combustion conditions. For example, the total level of PAHs was found to be higher in smoke from poplar wood pellets than from sawdust during combustion due to higher temperatures within the pellet itself, which are sufficient for pyrolytic reactions. During the thermal decomposition process, the level of PAHs obtained from pellets was lower than that from sawdust.
The storage of smoke flavorings in polyethylene flasks can also reduce the concentration of some PAHs. A study found that the flavoring obtained from poplar wood presented the highest number and concentrations of both total and carcinogenic PAHs, even though the levels of the latter were very low.
PAHs in wood smoke contribute to the fine particle pollution (PM) that is responsible for poor air quality, especially during the winter when air becomes stagnant due to temperature inversions. These fine particles can enter the lungs and cause structural damage and chemical changes, leading to respiratory issues and other health problems.
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Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
VOCs are organic compounds that have a high vapour pressure at room temperature, causing them to readily evaporate and enter the atmosphere. In the context of wood smoke, VOCs are formed during the combustion of wood, particularly when the burning process is incomplete or inefficient. This can occur when using traditional fireplaces or wood-burning stoves that do not meet modern emission standards.
The specific VOCs present in wood smoke can vary depending on the type of wood, burning conditions, and combustion efficiency. Some common VOCs found in wood smoke include benzene, formaldehyde, and other toxic substances. These compounds are known to have harmful effects on both human health and the environment.
The release of VOCs from wood smoke contributes to air pollution and the formation of ground-level ozone, which is a major concern for air quality. Ground-level ozone is a harmful pollutant that can irritate the respiratory system and exacerbate respiratory conditions such as asthma. VOCs can also undergo chemical reactions in the atmosphere, leading to the formation of secondary pollutants that contribute to smog and haze, reducing visibility and impacting the environment.
To mitigate the impact of VOCs and other pollutants from wood smoke, it is essential to adopt good burning practices and use certified low-emission heating appliances. Modern wood-burning stoves and fireplaces that meet EPA or CSA emission standards can significantly reduce the release of VOCs and other toxic pollutants into the atmosphere. Additionally, communities can implement regulations and by-laws to reduce wood smoke emissions, such as those found in Metro Vancouver, where wood-burning appliances must be registered and comply with performance standards during certain periods.
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Dioxins, furans, and heavy metals
Wood smoke is a major source of air pollution, especially particulate pollution. It contains thousands of chemicals, including known irritants, carcinogens, suspected carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and compounds linked to birth defects. One of the most harmful components of wood smoke is fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which can get into your eyes and respiratory system, causing burning eyes, a runny nose, and illnesses such as bronchitis. Fine particles can also worsen asthma symptoms and trigger asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes, and heart rhythm irregularities, especially in people already at risk.
Heavy metals are also present in wood smoke, with over 200 dangerous chemicals and heavy metals released during combustion. Mercury is one such heavy metal, and its presence in wood smoke contributes to environmental pollution and potential health risks for those exposed. While the specific effects of heavy metal exposure from wood smoke may vary, heavy metal exposure in general is associated with negative health consequences.
The health impacts of wood smoke are significant. In addition to the respiratory and cardiovascular effects mentioned earlier, wood smoke can irritate the lungs, cause inflammation, affect the immune system, and increase the risk of lung infections, including SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). It is essential to limit exposure to wood smoke, especially for individuals with existing heart or lung conditions, children, older adults, and pregnant women.
To reduce the negative impacts of wood smoke, it is important to prioritize efficient burning practices and explore alternative heat sources. Using dry, seasoned wood and certified wood stoves can help reduce smoke emissions. Additionally, transitioning to cleaner heat sources, such as those offered through initiatives like the Wood Burning Stove Conversion Program, can significantly improve air quality and protect the health of individuals and communities.
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Frequently asked questions
Wood smoke is made up of over 100 different chemicals and compounds, including particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide, methane, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dioxins, lead, cadmium, and arsenic.
Exposure to wood smoke can cause serious acute and chronic health issues. Short-term exposure can induce headaches, nausea, dizziness, and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. The particulate matter in wood smoke can enter the lungs and cause structural damage and chemical changes, leading to long-term respiratory issues and an increased risk of lung infections.
People with existing heart or lung diseases, such as asthma, COPD, or heart disease, are at greater risk of experiencing adverse health effects from wood smoke exposure. Older adults and children are also more susceptible to the harmful effects of wood smoke.
Residential wood burning is a significant source of fine particle pollution (PM) and is responsible for poor air quality days in many areas, particularly during the winter. Wood smoke can reduce visibility and cause environmental damage in scenic areas.
Yes, several jurisdictions have implemented policies and regulations to reduce wood smoke emissions. This includes encouraging the use of low-emission certified appliances, such as heat pumps or cleaner wood stoves, and establishing by-laws to identify and reduce excessive smoke production.
