Where There's Smoke, There's Pollution

I've never lived in a house with a working fireplace, but like many people I absolutely love the smells, sights, and sounds of a roaring fire. Walking into my house the other day on a chilly day, I smelled the unmistakable aroma of burning wood from a neighbor's fireplace and felt an immediate rush of joy. But that joy quickly turned into a curiosity about what it is I'm actually inhaling.

Source: britannica.com

• 52% of US homes have at least one fireplace or wood burning stove.

• Fireplace owners report that they typically use their fireplaces 52 times per year.

• Fireplaces rank second among top features desired by home buyers.

• 55% of new home builds include a fireplace.

• Pittsburgh homes have nearly 300,000 fireplaces.

Wood Burning

"The passion for wood fire is real and is a strong marketing force," according to Walter Moberg, president of Moberg Fireplaces and quoted in this 2006 marketing report. Moberg states that our affinity for natural, organic fire is embedded in the human psyche and remains a vital part of our culture. But according to health experts, if you can smell wood smoke, you are breathing pollution that is hazardous to your health.  The graphic below shows how wood burning emissions compares to other sources of pollution. 

Source: Puget Sound Clean Air Agency

Health Effects of Wood Burning

Wood smoke is made up of particulate matter (microscopic particles) and gases. Particulate matter (PM) can get into your eyes and respiratory system, where it can cause acute health problems such as burning eyes, runny nose, and respiratory illnesses. Toxic chemicals emitted during wood burning include benzene, formaldehyde, acrolein, carbon monoxide, dioxin, methane, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Many of these are known carcinogens.

Wood burning fireplaces are associated with the development and/or worsening of the following chronic health problems:

• Asthma: inhaling small particles can trigger asthma attacks. 

• Cancer: EPA researchers say wood smoke is worse than cigarette smoke. 

• Cardiovascular disease: fine particles travel deep into the lungs or into the bloodstream and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Even small amounts of PM can aggravate health problems for those with pre-existing conditions.

• COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: researchers suggest wood smoke has been causing COPD since ancient times: this article notes that evidence of COPD has been found in mummified remains.

• Ear infections: one study found that children breathing the highest levels of wood smoke were 32% more likely to have a doctor visit for a middle-eat infection than those breathing the lowest levels. 

• Respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

• Children are at particularly high risk for health effects from wood smoke because they breathe in more air in proportion to their size than adults. Kids who breathe wood smoke regularly show higher rates of asthma and other respiratory effects, pneumonia, and sleep disturbances. 

Source: EPA

What You Can Do

It is nearly impossible to avoid all wood smoke from fireplaces. Even if you do not have a fireplace in your home, the particulate matter from your neighbor's wood smoke is so small that windows and doors cannot keep it out. If you do have a fireplace, the following guidelines from the EPA can help keep your air safer. 

• Choose only EPA-certified wood-burning appliances.

• Make sure wood-burning equipment is properly installed, inspected, and maintained.

• Avoid smoldering fires. 

• Use only dry, seasoned firewood, split to the right size.

• Reduce the need for fuel by making your home more energy efficient.

Learn more at Burn Wise.