Study Links Household Firewood Burning in Winter to Rising Pollution and Early Deaths

Burning firewood inside homes during the winter months may be a significant yet underappreciated contributor to air pollution and premature deaths, according to a new scientific study. Researchers have found that residential wood burning accounts for a substantial share of fine particulate matter pollution during colder seasons, posing serious risks to public health.

The study, published in the journal Science Advances, reveals that smoke from household wood-burning sources contributes nearly 22 per cent of PM2.5 pollution in winter, making it one of the largest single contributors to fine particle pollution during the coldest months of the year. PM2.5 refers to tiny airborne particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, increasing the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

Led by researchers from Northwestern University in the United States, the modelling-based analysis estimates that pollution caused by residential wood burning is linked to approximately 8,600 premature deaths annually across the country. These deaths are largely attributed to heart disease and other pollution-related health conditions.

The researchers highlight that while wildfire smoke often receives widespread attention for its harmful effects, emissions from burning wood inside homes are frequently overlooked. Fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, furnaces, and boilers all contribute to this form of pollution, especially in winter when heating demand rises.

Using a high-resolution atmospheric model, the research team tracked how pollution from wood burning spreads through the air. The model factored in weather conditions such as wind patterns, temperature, terrain, and atmospheric chemistry to better understand how emissions travel and accumulate over time. The findings showed that these emissions include both primary pollutants, like black carbon, and secondary pollutants that form when emissions react with other elements in the atmosphere.

Urban and suburban areas were found to be particularly vulnerable. In many cases, smoke from wood-burning homes in suburban regions drifts into densely populated city centres, worsening air quality even in areas where wood burning is not common. Notably, cities in relatively warmer climates are also affected during cold spells, recreational wood burning, or due to atmospheric transport from surrounding regions.

The researchers suggest that transitioning households away from wood-burning heating systems toward cleaner alternatives—such as electric heat pumps or non-burning heating appliances—could significantly reduce fine particulate pollution. Since only a small percentage of homes rely on wood burning for heat, even limited changes could lead to substantial improvements in air quality and public health outcomes.

The study underscores the need for greater awareness and policy attention toward residential wood burning as a preventable source of air pollution, especially during winter months when health risks are highest.

With Inputs From IANS