How much outdoor fine particle pollution does wood burning cause in winter?

Residential wood burning is responsible for approximately 22% of outdoor fine particle (PM2.5) pollution during the winter months in the U.S.

What health risks are associated with fine particle pollution from wood smoke?

Fine particle pollution from wood smoke can lead to increased risks of cardiovascular and lung diseases, and is linked to premature death.

Why do urban areas and people of color face greater health impacts from wood smoke?

Smoke from suburban wood fires drifts into cities, exposing more people. Communities of color face higher exposure and worse health outcomes due to pre-existing environmental stressors.

Home / Environment / Winter Wood Smoke Kills Thousands Annually

Winter Wood Smoke Kills Thousands Annually

27 Jan

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Summary

Residential wood burning causes 22% of winter PM2.5 pollution.
Wood smoke is linked to an estimated 8,600 premature deaths yearly.
Urban and minority communities disproportionately suffer health impacts.

Residential wood burning is a major contributor to winter air pollution in the United States, accounting for about 22% of fine particle (PM2.5) pollution. This occurs despite wood being the primary heat source for only 2% of households nationwide. The tiny PM2.5 particles can deeply penetrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream, leading to serious health issues.

The study estimates that pollution from home wood burning is associated with approximately 8,600 premature deaths annually. Lead author Kyan Shlipak noted that reducing residential wood burning could substantially decrease fine particulate matter in the air.

Unexpectedly, urban areas experience the most severe impacts. Smoke from suburban wood fires frequently travels into cities, exposing a larger population to harmful pollutants. This disproportionately affects people of color, who tend to suffer worse health outcomes from this exposure.