Health Effects

Of WoodSmoke

Health Effects of

Wood Smoke

INTRODUCTION

The smell of wood smoke evokes fond memories for

many people, but for others it has become a danger

signal. Wood smoke, largely from wood stoves, has

become a major part of the air pollution problem in

the United States. Smoke is composed of many small

particles of carbon compounds from the burning of

organic matter such as wood or coal. These small

pieces of Organic matter from smoke, along with dust

and other small particles of solid and liquid matter

suspended in the air, are called particulate matter.

Particulate matter is regulated by the federal government as one of the principal air pollutants.

In Washington State wood stoves and fireplaces

release 10 percent of the total air pollution (see pie

chart).13 Particulate pollution from wood stoves is

produced mostly in the winter when stagnant air and

temperature inversions limit air movement, “trapping” the pollution close to the ground and keeping it

in our breathing space.

A growing body of evidence suggests that we cannot

ignore the medical consequences of extensive exposure to wood smoke. This booklet presents some

current air quality data, and information extracted

from medical research on the health effects of household and neighborhood wood smoke.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

AIR POLLUTION SOURCES

AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS

The category “Other” in this pie chart includes sources such as

boats and other recreational vehicles, lawn mowers, etc.

Health Effects of Wood Smoke ..................................................... 1

Air Pollution Sources and Their Contributions .......................... 2

Glossary ......................................................................................... 4-6

What is Wood Smoke? ................................................................... 7

Why is Wood Smoke a Problem? ................................................. 8

General Effects of Wood Smoke ................................................... 9

Lung Chart ..................................................................................... 10

What Parts of Wood Smoke Cause Problems? ...................... 11-13

Wood Smoke and Cancer ........................................................ 14,15

Mutagens in Wood Smoke ............................................................ 16

Particulate Air Pollution and Death Rates .................................. 17

Indoor Air Quality ......................................................................... 18

Populations Most at Risk ......................................................... 19, 20

Hidden Costs of Wood Heat................................................... 21, 22

What About Outdoor Burning and Certified Wood Stoves..... 23

How You Can Help Fight Smokey Air ...................................... 24

Literature Cited ......................................................................... 25-28
I

Glossary

ACUTE. Having a quick start and

relatively serious characteristics, as

an acute illness.

AIR. A mixture of gases containing

about 78 percent nitrogen, 21

percent oxygen, and less than one

percent carbon dioxide and other

nonreactive gasses, with varying

amounts of water vapor.

AIRSHED. The air supply of a

given area defined by natural or

topographic features, as well as by

political or legal boundaries.

ALVEOLI. The numerous tiny air

sacs at the end of the bronchioles in

the lungs, where exchange of

oxygen and carbon dioxide takes

place across membranes with the

blood.

ARTERIOSCLEROSIS. A chronic

disease where thickening or

hardening of the artery walls

interferes with blood circulation.

ATMOSPHERE. The layer of air

surrounding the Earth.

BACKDRAFTING. A downward

flow of air into a fireplace or wood

stove when outside air enters the

exhaust opening. Most common in

airtight dwellings where this

becomes the only available source

of combustion air, or when chimneys develop a creosote buildup, or

when wood stoves are not properly

installed.

BENZENE. A toxic chemical found

in coal tar and used as an industrial

solvent, as a gasoline additive, and

in some paints or varnishes; a

known carcinogen.

BRONCHIOLES. Small thin-walled

branches of the bronchus, which

branch further and lead to the tiny

air sacs within the lungs.

BRONCHITIS. Inflammation of the

mucous membrane of the bronchial

tubes.

BRONCHIOLITIS. Inflammation

of the mucous membrane of the

bronchioles.

BRONCHUS. Either of two

primary branches of the trachea or

other branches with cartilage in

their walls, which lead to the

bronchioles in the lungs.

CARBON MONOXIDE (CO). A

colorless, odorless gas produced by

incomplete burning of carbon

containing substances, especially by

gasoline-powered vehicles. It is one

of the six major air pollutants for

which there is a national air quality

standard.

CARCINOGEN. A substance or

activity that causes cancer.

CARCINOGENIC. Capable of

causing cancer.

CARDIAC. Of, near, or relating to

the heart.

CERTIFIED WOOD STOVE.

Models certified as relatively clean

burning by the U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency based on carbon

monoxide and particulate matter

emission testing at accredited

laboratories.

CHRONIC Marked by long

duration or frequent recurrence,

such as a chronic disease.

CILIA. Hairlike cells that line the

passageways to the lungs. The

motion of cilia propels tiny dirt

particles and germs out of the

respiratory tract.

COMBUSTION. The process of

burning. More specifically, when a

substance reacts with oxygen to

produce heat and often light.

EMISSIONS. Waste substances or

pollutants discharged into the air

from sources such as automobiles,

power plants, or wood stoves.

EMPHYSEMA. A swelling of the

tiny air sacs or alveoli in the lungs

resulting from destruction of the

membranes which line the inside of

the air sacs -- characterized by

breathing difficulties and greater

susceptibility to infections.

ENVIRONMENT. The aggregate

of all outside conditions and

influences affecting life, development, and survival of organisms.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA). The

independent federal government

agency established in 1970 that

regulates environmental matters

and oversees environmental law

enforcement.

HYDROCARBONS. A large

family of compounds containing

hydrogen and carbon. Can include

many organic compounds in

various combinations. Wood and

fossil fuels are composed mainly of

hydrocarbons. Many are air

pollutants and some are carcinogenic.

INDOOR AIR POLLUTION. Air

pollutants which are released inside

buildings at concentrations often

higher than in outdoor air. Common indoor air pollutants include

radon, tobacco smoke, formaldehyde, and wood smoke.

4

INVERSIONS. An atmospheric

condition occurring when a cool

layer of air gets trapped below a

layer of warm air and is unable to

rise. This “ceiling” leads to a

buildup of polluted air close to the

ground and prevents vertical mixing

and dispersion of smoke and other

air pollutants.

LIFETIME CANCER RISK. The

probability that someone will get

cancer from a specific source at

some time in their life.

LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT

INFECTIONS (LRTIs). Infections

deeper in the respiratory tract than

the nose and throat, such as

bronchiolitis or pneumonia which

involve the bronchioles or lung.

MICRON. A unit of length

l/l,000,000 of a meter.

MORTALITY RATE. Death rate.

MUCOUS MEMBRANE. The

membrane lining all body channels

that are exposed to air, such as the

respiratory tract or the digestive

tract. The glands of this membrane

secrete mucus.

MUCUS. Organic compounds

secreted by the mucous membrane,

along with cells and inorganic salts

suspended in water. This mixture

acts as a lubricant and a protective

coating.

MUTAGEN. An agent that causes

biological mutation.

MUTATION. A change in the

genes or chromosomes within the

cells of living organisms.

MUTAGENICITY. A measure of

the relative strength of different

mutagens based on their ability to

cause mutations.
NITROGEN OXIDES. Compounds of nitrogen and oxygen

formed from high temperature

burning. They contribute to acid

rain and ozone formation. Nitric

oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide

(NO2) contribute to lung and

respiratory health problems.

Nitrogen dioxide is the most toxic

and is one of the six major air

pollutants for which there is a

national air quality standard.

ORGANIC. Concerning, related to,

or derived from living organisms; in

chemistry, a carbon containing

compound.

OZONE (03). A form of oxygen

consisting of three oxygen atoms

per molecule. Ozone is a pungent,

colorless, toxic gas that is a major

component of smog. It is formed

from nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons in the presence of sunlight and

heat. Ozone is one of six major air

pollutants for which there is a

national air quality standard.

PARTICULATE MATTER (PM).

Small particles of solid and liquid

matter found in the atmosphere

including soot, dust, organic matter,

smoke, or smog.

PM10. Particulate matter that

measures ten microns in diameter

or less. One of six major air

pollutants for which there is a

national air quality standard.

PNEUMONIA. An acute or

chronic disease caused by bacteria,

viruses, or particulate matter and

chemical agents characterized by

inflammation of the lung tissue.

PULMONARY. Of or relating to

the lungs.

RADON. A colorless, odorless

radioactive gas formed by the decay

of uranium, found in rocks and soil.

6

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM. The

body's system for breathing,

including the nose, throat, and

lungs.

SINUS. Any of the air-filled

cavities in the skull connected to the

nostrils or external openings of the

nose.

SINUSITIS. Inflammation of a

sinus membrane, especially in the

nasal or nose region.

SMOG. Air pollution consisting of

fog mixed with smoke and or

ozone, also called haze, or, in

Los Angeles, smog ozone.

SLASH BURNING. The burning of

woody debris left over from logging

or land clearing operations.

STAGNATION. Lack of motion in

a mass of air or water which tends

to hold pollutants in place.

TOXIC. Poisonous, carcinogenic, or

directly harmful to life.

TRACHEA. A passage through

which air passes to and from the

lungs.

VOLATILE. Unstable substances

that evaporate rapidly at normal

temperatures, such as benzene or

gasoline.

WHAT IS

WOOD SMOKE?

Wood smoke is a complex mixture of substances produced

during the burning of wood. The major emissions from wood

stoves are carbon monoxide, organic gases (containing carbon

or derived from living organisms), particulate matter, and

nitrogen oxides. Wood smoke contains many organic

compounds known to cause cancer (such as benzopyrenes,

dibenzanthracenes, and dibenzocarbazoles), and other toxic

compounds (such as aldehydes, phenols, or cresols). The

particulate fraction is composed of solid or liquid organic

compounds, carbon char (elemental or soot carbon -- similar

to charcoal), and inorganic ash.

1
WHY IS WOOD

SMOKE A PROBLEM?

GENERAL EFFECTS 

OF WOOD SMOKE

The particles in wood smoke are too small to be filtered by the

nose and upper respiratory system, so they wind up deep in

the lungs. They can remain there for months causing structural damage and chemical changes. Poisonous and cancercausing chemicals often enter the lungs by adhering to tiny

particulate matter (such as wood smoke particles).

These tiny particles are emitted in neighborhoods, both

indoors and out, where people spend most of their time.

Unfortunately, wood smoke is not only in the outdoor air we

breathe. The particulate matter in wood smoke leaving

chimneys is so small that it is not stopped by closed doors and

windows, and often seeps into neighbors’ houses. Even more

smoke is sometimes released inside homes which heat with

wood.

Wood smoke exposure causes a decrease in lung function

and an increase in the severity of existing lung disease with

increases in smoke concentration or exposure time.

2

 It also

aggravates heart conditions and carbon monoxide (a component of wood smoke) causes heart pain. The occurrence of

respiratory illness in children has been shown to increase

with increased exposure to wood smoke. This includes

lower respiratory infections such as acute pneumonia, or

bronchiolitis, which are major causes of disease and death in

young children.

20 Wood smoke aggravates asthma, emphysema, pneumonia, and bronchitis. It irritates the eyes and

triggers headaches and allergies. Long-term exposure may

lead to emphysema, chronic bronchitis, arteriosclerosis, and

nasal, throat, lung blood, and lymph system cancers (based on animal studies). 2.4.17.25.27
WHAT PARTS OF

WOOD SMOKE

CAUSE PROBLEMS?

Many organic compounds are produced by combustion of

wood. Some burn completely, some are changed chemically,

and some leave the stove without burning. Some of these

compounds deposit in the chimney as creosote, some

condense as very tiny particles of smoke, and some are

released into the air as gases. Some of these organic compounds are poisonous, some irritate the respiratory tract, and

some may cause cancer or mutations. The primary pollutants

from wood smoke are carbon monoxide, particulate matter,

and organic gases (including aldehyde gases such as acrolein,

which is a serious respiratory irritant).
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced when

any carbon-containing fuel such as gasoline or wood is

burned. It reduces the ability of blood to carry oxygen to

body tissues. High exposures can lead to death. Lower levels,

common in highly polluted urban areas, lead to increased

hospitalizations for individuals with heart and circulatory

disease, lower birth weights, and increased deaths of newborns.3

Particulate matter larger than 10 microns in diameter collects

in the upper respiratory system (throat and nose) and is

eliminated by sneezing, coughing, noseblowing, spitting, or

the digestive system. The particulate matter from wood

smoke is a much more serious health threat due to the small

particle size. Wood smoke particles are less than 10 microns

(a micron is one millionth of a meter) in diameter. Most of

them are less than 2.5 microns in diameter. The period at the

end of this sentence is about 500 microns in diameter.

ORGANIC GASES

Wood smoke particles are so small that they get past the cilia

or hair-like structures on the respiratory tract cells. Cilia clear

mucous and catch and help remove larger particulate matter

from the lungs with a rhythmic motion. Tiny wood smoke

particles evade the cilia and collect in the most remote portions of the lungs, called alveoli - the tiny air sacs where

oxygen enters the blood stream. Wood smoke particles cause

structural and chemical changes deep in the lungs. Other

toxic and cancer causing compounds can attach to the smallest smoke particles and enter the lungs at the same time.

Because of the health threat from tiny particulate air pollution, the federal government regulates all particulate matter

less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10) as one of six major air

pollutants.

Irritants in wood smoke (such as phenols, aldehydes,

quinones, nitrogen oxides, and sulphur oxides) contribute to

health problems in the respiratory tract. Irritants interfere

with the cilia and disrupt the flow of the particle-trapping

mucus stream, resulting in more particulate matter entering

the lungs. Exposure to wood smoke irritants can lead to

inflammation and pulmonary edema (swelling of lung

tissue). Irritants can also cause allergic reactions and may

contribute to long-term health effects.1

PARTICULATE MATTER
WOOD SMOKE

AND CANCER

The cancer threat from air pollution is a serious public health

concern. Most of the wood smoke cancer research before 1985

focused on identifying the components of soot or the particulate portion of wood smoke, including carcinogens such as

benzo(a)pyrene, best known from tobacco smoke research.

The first known human carcinogens were from coal tars and

chimney soot. The particle or soot component of air pollution

has been clearly implicated as a human carcinogen from

studies of human cancer victims.22

Many substances on the U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency’s (EPA) priority pollutant list, many suspected

human carcinogens, co-carcinogens (cancer initiators or

promoters), and cilia-toxic agents (poisonous to the hairequipped cells which filter most particles out of the respiratory tract) have been identified from wood smoke particles.14

However, many of the compounds in wood smoke particles

have not been identified and even less is known about the

toxic organic gases which are also released by wood burning.

Burning of fossil fuels, wood, tobacco, or garbage produces

hundreds of different compounds associated with the soot, or

particle phase of air pollution. Also produced are many

gaseous compounds which are carcinogenic, such as benzene,

aldehydes, alkenes, and numerous semi-volatile organic

compounds.21 Recent research has focused on the health

effects from wood smoke as a whole, rather than further

studies of its component parts.

This research found motor vehicles and wood stoves to be the

major sources of cancer risk from particulate air pollution in

all the urban airsheds studied. 8, 34

Human cancer risks have now been estimated for lifetime

exposure to diesel vehicle, leaded and catalyst-equipped gas

vehicle, wood stove, cigarette smoke, coke oven (coal), and

roofing tar emissions. 23 EPA researchers suggest that the

lifetime cancer risk from wood stove emissions may be 12

times greater than the lifetime cancer risk from exposure to an

equal amount of cigarette smoke. We must keep in mind that

this is not actual cancer risk, but rather an estimate based on

bacteria and animal studies comparing the potency of wood

smoke to cigarette smoke and other better documented

carcinogens. The lifetime human cancer risk estimates from

exposure to wood smoke and motor vehicle emissions are

theoretical based on such comparative potency tests.

The lifetime cancer risk estimate from exposure to motor

vehicle emissions is more than three times that from equal

exposure to wood stove emissions, based on recent EPA

research in Boise, Idaho. 23 However, we also know that wood

stoves produce much more particulate air pollution in the

winter than motor vehicles in all Pacific Northwest cities

studied by the EPA. 20,31,33,34

With all of these cancer risk estimates we must also keep in

mind that we do not yet have much information on actual

yearly levels of human exposure to various types of particulate air pollution.

In 1985 the EPA started a major long-term research program

to clarify the sources of air pollution and population exposure,

and to estimate future cancer risk (the Integrated Air Cancer

Project.

10 Studies include human cancer victims, as well as

laboratory mice, and bacteria and mammal cells exposed to

the total mixture of particulate matter from urban air samples.
MUTAGENS

IN WOOD SMOKE

Mutagens cause biological mutations or changes in cells such

as chromosome defects or genetic damage. Mutagenicity is

often used as a screening test for human cancer risk from

compounds in air pollution. However, mutagens and carcinogens are not the same thing and not all mutagenic substances cause cancer. Motor vehicles and wood heating

emissions cause mutations. These two sources are also major

contributors to the human cancer risk from air pollution. 8

A 1988 EPA study found that wood heat and motor vehicle

emissions account for nearly all of the mutagenicity in winter

air samples from Albuquerque, NM, Raleigh, NC, and

Juneau, AK, over a wide range of climate and wood species. 34

This study found that biological mutations in bacteria exposed to winter air samples increased with higher concentrations of fine particulate matter and were most numerous at

times of coldest temperatures, weekends and holidays --

when many wood stoves were in use. One would expect this

to be true in Washington State as well.

In the United States more than 30% of mutagenic material

emitted to the atmosphere each year comes from wood

combustion, according to 1981 calculations. 15.24 In Washington State the contribution from wood smoke is greater than

this national average since Washington has the third highest

percentage of households burning wood in the United States,

behind Oregon and Maine, according to a 1983 U.S. Forest

Service survey. 30

16

PARTICULATE AIR

POLLUTION AND

DEATH RATES

London’s “Black Fog” in December 1952 killed 4,000 people

and led to the British Clean-Air Act. Tiny particulate air

pollution from coal stoves was largely to blame. London is

once again in the news with a new study linking particulate

air pollution to death rates.

This year an EPA researcher applied statistical techniques to

daily particulate air measurements and daily death records in

London, as well as U.S. cities where daily particulate measurements were available.28 These cities vary vastly in size,

climate, and mixes of air pollutants, including wood smoke.

This study found an increase in deaths by 6% for each 100

micrograms of total particulate air pollution measured.

This same EPA study also found that, for every 100 micrograms of total particulate per cubic meter of air, the risk of

dying goes up 32% from emphysema, 19% from bronchitis

and asthma, 12% from pneumonia, and 9% from cardiovascular disease. Sulfur dioxide, an air pollutant which has often

been suspected of causing deaths, showed no effect on death

rates. These new findings suggest that particulate matter is

more toxic than ozone (commonly called smog). Confirmation of these findings would make particulate air pollution the

largest known “involuntary environmental insult” and

should encourage a stricter federal particulate standard. 28
INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Wood smoke does not rise and disperse during winter

temperature inversions. At these times, wood smoke hangs

close to the ground and enters neighbors’ yards and houses,

schools and hospitals. Areas with winter atmospheric inversions and valley locations with poor air circulation are most

affected. Wood smoke particles are so tiny that they remain

suspended for long periods of time and readily penetrate into

buildings with incoming cold air, even with today's “airtight” construction.

Wood stove fumes are released into the outdoor air through

chimneys, but fumes are also released directly into the homes

where stoves are used. Wood smoke and fumes also enter

homes where stoves are not used. Indoor PM10 levels from

wood smoke in homes without wood stoves reach at least

50% to 70% of outdoor levels, according to a recent University

of Washington study in Seattle and an EPA study in Boise,

Idaho neighborhoods. 16.24

Wood stove use not only degrades the air quality inside

neighbors’ homes, but causes additional air quality impairment in the home using the stove. Klamath Falls, Oregon has

the highest measured PM10 pollution from wood stoves in the

United States. A 1991 study in Klamath Falls by the Oregon

Health Division found that children with wood stoves in their

own homes have even greater declines in lung function than

other children living in the same smoky neighborhood.12

Indoor and outdoor air can be degraded significantly by the

use of poorly designed noncertified airtight stoves and non

airtight stoves.16.32 Poor burning practices, improper stove

operation, improper stove installation, lack of maintenance,

and burning wet wood create much indoor and outdoor air

pollution even with the newest certified stove models.

Backdrafting and “accidents” while loading fuel or opening

stove doors can cause substantial amounts of indoor air

pollution with any wood stove. Backdrafting can usually be

eliminated by proper stove installation and/or regular

 chimney sweeping.

POPULATIONS

MOST AT RISK

Infants, children, pregnant women, senior citizens,

cigarette smokers and ex-smokers, and all those

suffering from allergies, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia, or any other heart or lung illness

are most affected by wood smoke and are sensitive to

low levels.14.17.27.28 Even the most healthy citizens 

should refrain from heavy outdoor physical exercise

(such as jogging) during periods of very poor air

quality or high levels of particulate air pollution.

Lung ailments are the leading cause of disease and

death in the United States among newborns, accounting for 37% of all deaths in the first year of life, according to the American Lung Association. Lung

diseases accounted for 28.3% of all hospitalizations of

children under 15 in the United States in 1988. A total

of 738,000 children in this age group were hospitalized for lung disease in 1988.5

Wood smoke interferes with normal lung development in infants and young children. In addition,

several studies have found that home use of wood

burning stoves increases the risk of lower respiratory

tract infections (LRTIs) such as bronchiolitis and

pneumonia in young children.26 LRTIs are a major 

cause of early childhood disease and death. Parental

smoking, especially during the first year of life, is

another well-demonstrated risk factor for lower

respiratory tract infections.

9
A 1990 study of American Indian children found that those

living in homes with a wood burning stove have a higher risk

of bronchiolitis and pneumonia (lower respiratory tract

infections) than children living in homes without wood

stoves. 6.11.26 Childhood LRTIs have also been linked with

chronic lung disease in later life. Wood smoke exposure

causes a chronic reduction in lung function, increasing the

rate of decline with age in adults.25

Researchers at the University of Washington in 1990 documented more symptoms of respiratory disease in Seattle

preschool children living in high wood smoke residential

areas than in children living in areas with lower wood smoke

levels.7 This demonstrates the effect of community wood

smoke pollution on the occurrence of respiratory illness. Tests

have also demonstrated measurable reductions in lung

function among both healthy children and asthmatics in

smoky Seattle neighborhoods in the winter.18

HIDDEN COSTS

OF WOOD HEAT

Most people realize that direct costs of wood heat include the

purchase price, installation, and maintenance of the heater.

Floor protection, the building permit, installation, fuel supply,

and chimney sweeping are other direct costs. Time spent

cutting, splitting, stacking, and moving wood (as well as

cleaning out ashes and maintaining the stove) are also direct

costs. However, few people realize the possible extent of

hidden or indirect costs.

Indirect costs of wood heat include both fire insurance and

health insurance. Fire insurance costs have been climbing.

The 1984 statistics from the Washington State Fire Marshall

show that nearly half of all fires reported in one and twofamily dwellings were caused by wood stoves or fireplaces.

These insurance losses help push up the cost of insurance on

a home.

Health insurance costs have been rising rapidly in recent

years. Health insurance claims raise the cost of health insurance. Wood smoke exposure leads to more frequent and

extended hospital visits, as well as more emergency ward or

physician visits, and increased use of medications. Lung

diseases are second only to heart disease as a cause of disability under social security.5

 Wood smoke adversely affects the

cardiovascular system and heart patients, as well as those

suffering from lung disease.1.3.4.25.28

20
In 1989 an estimated 85 million people -- more than one-third

of the U.S. population -- were afflicted with chronic respiratory disease, from chronic sinusitis to chronic bronchitis and

emphysema.5

 The direct and indirect costs of lung disease

were about $45 billion in 1988 according to the American

Lung Association.

The National Health Interview Survey estimates 25.6 million

people suffer from severe lung diseases such as chronic

bronchitis, emphysema, or asthma. The total number of

deaths attributed to these diseases increased 57% between

1979 and 1987. Lung cancer now accounts for more cancer

deaths in the United States for both men and women than any

other form of cancer.5

Obviously wood smoke does not account for all of the lung

disease in this country. Tobacco, radon, car and truck exhaust, asbestos, and other substances share much of the

blame. However, the medical evidence is growing each year

that wood smoke plays a larger role than was previously

thought, and the tiny particulate matter from wood smoke

cannot be kept out of your home if you live in a neighborhood where there is much wood stove use.

WHAT ABOUT

OUTDOOR BURNING

AND CERTIFIED

WOOD STOVES?

Outdoor burning in Washington contributes roughly twothirds as much particulate air pollution as wood stoves do

each year (see graph). Agricultural burning, slash burning,

backyard burning, and burn barrels all contribute to air

pollution and are becoming more closely regulated under

Washington’s new clean air legislation. Outdoor burning is

not as common in the winter when cooler temperatures lead

to inversions and trap wood stove smoke close to the ground

in our neighborhoods; but any time that citizens are exposed

to smoke there is cause for concern.

About 85% of wood stoves in Washington State are not

certified to meet federal particulate emission standards (based

on a 1990 survey by the Washington State Energy Office).

These noncertified stoves release most of the particulate air

pollution statewide. The newer EPA certified models release

much less smoke although they still require dry wood, and

proper installation, operation, and maintenance to minimize

air pollution. All smoke from any source adds to the air

pollution problem.

2 2 2 3
HOW YOU CAN

HELP FIGHT

SMOKY AIR

Noncertified stoves should be scrapped if possible. Cleaner

heating methods include the best technology certified wood

stoves, gas stoves or gas inserts, and high efficiency gas and

oil central heating systems. Energy conservation, insulation

and weatherstripping can save money with any heating

system and reduce pollution. Support burning bans and

smoke regulations. Learn about composting, mulching,

recycling, or other smokeless disposal strategies. Any smoke

or odor from open fires or from home heating which affects

our neighbors’ health or enjoyment of their property is illegal

and should be reported to the local county air pollution

control authority.

We take pride in our quality of life in Washington. In light of

current and ongoing health research, the smell of wood

smoke no longer has the pleasant connotation it once had.

Thoughts of sick children, and lung and heart disease victims

are not pleasant. Less smoke means cleaner air for you, your

family, and the environment.

24

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LITERATURE CITED

Ammann, H. M. “Health Implications of Wood Smoke.”

Proceedings of the International Conference on Residential

Wood Combustion, Reno, Nevada, April, 1986.

Ammann, H. M. “Summary Overview of Health Effects

Associated with Residential Wood Combustion: Health

Effects Issue Assessment.” internal report, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office; Research Triangle Park, NC, 1986.

Air Pollution Training Institute Course SI:422. “Air Pollution

Control Orientation Course: Unit 2, Effects of Air Pollution.”

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air, Noise,

and Radiation, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards;

Research Triangle Park, NC, June, 1981, pp 77-93.

American Lung Association. “Wood Smoke Affects Your

Health.” September, 1990.

American Lung Association. “Public Policy Brief: Magnitude

of Lung Disease.” March, 1991.

Anderson, H. R. “Respiratory disease in childhood.” British

Medical Bulletin, 42 (1986),167-171.

Browning, K. G., et al. “A questionnaire study of respiratory

health in areas of high and low ambient wood smoke pollution.” Pediatric Asthma, Allergy & Immunology, Vol. 4, No.

3 (1990),183-191.

Claxton, L. D., R E. Bumgardner, R. K. Stevens. “Contribution

of wood smoke and motor vehicle emissions to ambient

aerosol mutagenicity.” Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 22, No. 8 (1988), 968-971.

Committee on Environmental Hazards. “Involuntary smoking: a hazard to children.” Pediatrics, 77 (1986), 755-757.
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WASHINGTON STAT E

DEPARTMENT O F

ECOLOG Y

If you need this information in another format, 

please contact Ecology’s Air Quality

Program at (360) 407-6800. If you are a person

with a speech or hearing impairment, please

call 711, or 1-800-833-6388 for TTY.

For More Information Write:

Department of Ecology

Air Quality Program

P.O. Box 47600

Olympia, WA 98504-7600

or call the Washington 

State Energy Office tollfree energy hotline at

1-800-962-9731. 

92-46 (Updated August 2004)