Brits with wood-burning stoves have been warned about the impact it could be having on their health by a doctor. Wood burning is a source of air pollution called particulate matter (PM), tiny solid particles that are suspended in the air.
Dirt, dust, and soot can be inhaled and make their way into your lungs, even crossing into the bloodstream. PM2.5 (pollution of 2.5 micrometres) exposure has been linked to conditions from heart disease to bladder cancer. A University of Cambridge study linked long-term air pollution exposure to dementia through resulting inflammation.
Hannah Healey at Which? tracked air quality while using a wood-burning stove over five days and found that PM2.5 in the air increased from an average of 0.65µg/m3 when the fire wasn’t burning to an average of 9.01µg/m3 when it was, an increase of 1,286%.
James Allan, professor of Air Pollution Measurement at the University of Manchester, told Which?: “Even studies of relatively low levels of air pollution have found adverse health effects. In addition, it seems that particulate matter from wood burning is a particularly harmful form of pollutant.
“The amount of indoor air pollution produced by wood burning stoves can vary a lot. It depends on factors such as the type of stove, the way it’s used, and the level of ventilation in the home.”
Dr James Heydon, associate professor at the School of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Nottingham, concurred saying: “Research suggests that PM2.5 is especially damaging to your health because it can enter your bloodstream, which means it can cause inflammatory responses throughout the body.
“’Even small amounts of air pollution can detrimentally impact your health. Decreasing exposure will yield health benefits across the board.
“Even activities like cooking and cleaning can influence indoor air pollution, which makes it harder to interpret results. But studies have consistently identified intense bursts of pollution during stove use.”
According to the World Health Organization, the recommended limit for average PM2. 5 exposure over a 24-hour period is 15µg/m3.
However, both the UK Government and the European Public Health Alliance report that there is no evidence of a safe level of air pollution.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
