Impacts on Air Quality and Health

​Impacts on​​ Air Q​​uality

Indoor residential wood burning is responsible for more than a quarter of the harmful fine particle emissions in the region – more than any other source. Since heating generally occurs in the fall and winter, wood smoke can contribute even more to the fine particles i​​n the air we breathe during those times of the year.

Health Ef​​fects

Wood smoke is a mixture of fine particles and m​any other substances.

The fine particles in wood smoke a​re associated with respiratory and cardiac issues, particularly for infants, the elderly, and people with existing heart and lung conditions. Wood smoke also contains toxic air contaminants and the potential for harm may increase depending on the type of material being burned.

Future phased measures promote cleaner wood-burning practices and technologies, and more stringent requirements in more densely populated areas will help reduce exposure.​