Effects of woodsmoke on health: an update following an exploratory literature review
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It is known that the smoke from burning wood contains substances that are harmful to health. However, there is no clear evidence as to what health consequences it can have if people are exposed to wood smoke in and outside their homes. The results in the international scientific literature are too different for that.
For example, a 2021 study in the Netherlands shows that more people suffer from shortness of breath on days when there is more wood smoke in the outdoor air. They also use medication more often for respiratory complaints. Some international studies have also found health effects in adults and children. Examples are COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), poorer lung function, pneumonia, lung cancer, ear infections in children and lower birth weight. But these effects have not been found in other studies.
One of the problems for the evidence is that exposure to pollutants from wood smoke has not yet been properly mapped. In many studies this is not measured but named by people themselves. This is done on the basis of questions about having a wood stove and how often and when people use it. An accurate estimate of exposure is not possible in this way. In addition, many more properties in a home determine how much smoke people are exposed to in or outside a home. Consider the amount of ventilation or the type of wood stove or fireplace. Not all studies take this into account.
Studies that have measured pollutants have usually done so outdoors and not indoors. And yet most people spend most of their time indoors.
Also, little research has been done into the health effects of wood burning for people other than the burner himself. Consider neighbors and vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women or people with a chronic illness. The RIVM therefore believes that better and more extensive research is needed to more precisely estimate the health effects of wood smoke for burners and non-burners.
This is evident from an exploratory literature study by the RIVM. This conclusion is in line with two previous literature studies by the RIVM from 2011 and 2019.
Abstract
It is known that the smoke from burning wood can contain substances that are harmful to health. However, there is no conclusive evidence as to the possible health effects of people being exposed to woodsmoke inside and outside their homes. The results in the international scientific literature are too varied to draw any definite conclusions.
For example, a study in the Netherlands in 2021 revealed that more people experience shortness of breath on days when there is more woodsmoke in the air. They are also more likely to use medication for respiratory symptoms. Several international studies have also identified health effects in adults and children. Examples include COPD, reduced lung function, pneumonia, lung cancer, ear infections in children and lower birth weight. However, these effects were not found in other studies.
One of the problems when it comes to gathering evidence is that exposure to pollutants from woodsmoke is difficult to quantify. In many studies, exposure is reported rather than measured. To gather these reports, people are asked to complete a questionnaire on whether they have a wood-burning stove and when and how often they use it. An accurate estimate of exposure is not possible with this approach. In addition, there are many more characteristics of a home that determine how much smoke people are exposed to inside or outside of it, such as the rate of ventilation and the type of wood-burning stove or fireplace. Not all studies take these factors into account.
Studies that do measure pollutants usually do so outside and not inside. This is despite the fact that most people spend the majority of their time indoors.
Few studies were performed on the possible health effects of woodsmoke for those other than the person using the stove or fireplace, such as neighbours and vulnerable groups like pregnant women and people with a chronic illness. Better and more comprehensive studies are needed, with better exposure assessment, to get a better into the health effects of woodsmoke.
This is the conclusion of an exploratory literature review by RIVM. This conclusion is in line with two previous literature reviews by RIVM published in 2011 and 2019.
2023-10-26 15:01:28
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