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[RESIDENTIAL BURNING, cont.]
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FAQ204
What are some of health effects from breathing smoke from woodstove, fireplaces or barbecues?
Breathing air containing wood smoke can:
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reduce lung function, especially in children;
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increase severity of existing lung disease such as asthma, emphysema, pneumonia and bronchitis;
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aggravate heart disease;
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increase susceptibility to lower respiratory diseases;
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irritate eyes, lungs, throat and sinuses;
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trigger headaches and allergies.
Those at greatest health risk from wood smoke include:
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fetuses, infants and children;
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people with lung, heart, circulatory diseases or allergies;
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the elderly;
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cigarette smokers and ex-smokers.
Contents of wood smoke:
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There are many components to wood smoke that can cause risk to your health. These compounds include:
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carbon monoxide, fatal in high concentrations;
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formaldehyde, a possible cause of human cancer;
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organic gases which may interfere with lung function;
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nitrogen oxides, linked to hardening of the arteries;
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tiny smoke particles that lodge in the lungs causing structural damage. These tiny particles, or PM10, are less than 10 microns wide, or about 1/7 the
diameter of a human hair.
 
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