More deaths when particles are from wood burning
A recent study found “the most convincing evidence” linking deaths with exposure to carbon-containing particle pollution was when the particles came from wood burning.
A group of researchers at Imperial College London led the study. They analyzed data involving daily concentrations of carbonaceous particles and the daily death rate in London from 2010–2019.
They found that short-term exposure to carbon-containing particles is linked with more deaths, and that “the most convincing evidence of an effect was found for wood burning carbon particles.”
They found the effect was even stronger during summer.
According to professor Gary Fuller, one of the researchers involved with the study:
Although there is much less wood-burning pollution in summer than winter, the wood-burning particles in summer appeared to be more harmful than the same concentration of wood burning in winter. This may be due to heightened exposure when huddled around bonfires, fire pits or chimineas. Sunlight and warmer weather also cause chemical reactions between pollutants that may affect their toxicity.
The researchers, however, pointed out that residential wood heating is also harmful, and noted their findings are “important given the rising popularity of wood burning for heating and energy production.”
The full research paper is available at ScienceDirect:
Piper, et al. Associations between short-term exposure to airborne carbonaceous particles and mortality: A time-series study in London during 2010–2019. Environmental Pollution. 2024; 360:124720.
