The Health Risks of Wood Heating: What You Need to Know

2023-12-03 12:58:00

the essentials Wood heating has become increasingly popular since the increase in the price of gas and electricity. However, it can be harmful to the environment and the health of users.

Wood heating at the heart of a new health scandal? At a time when inflation is taking hold, wood heating remains the most economical solution for spending the winter warm. However, it is harmful to the health of citizens.

In a study relayed by Current wife, American scientists discover that using a wood stove or fireplace increases the risk of getting lung cancer by 43% in women. The study published in the scientific journal Environment International focuses on 50,000 women living in the United States whose sisters have had cancer. These women had to indicate the frequency of use and the type of their heaters. After analysis, the researchers demonstrate that frequent use of wood heating leads to a high risk of lung cancer.

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An alarming study

For people who use it more than 30 days a year, the risk of developing lung cancer is even more significant. Suril Mehta, an epidemiologist at the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and lead author of the study, told the newspaper The Guardian that “indoor burning of wood, even occasional, in stoves and fireplaces, may contribute to lung cancer in populations where indoor burning of wood is not the predominant fuel source for cooking or home heating.” interior of the house.

Suril Mehta then explains that the smoke from this wood heating can contain substances such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene or other dangerous air pollutants.

Other solutions

While wood heating remains one of the most economical solutions for increasing the temperature of your home, other choices are possible. To limit indoor air pollution, it is advisable to ventilate regularly and limit chemical household products. Another possibility is to swap wood heating for natural gas heating, the price of which per kWh remains lower than electricity.

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Heating: wood, gas, electricity… which energy is the cheapest for heating this winter?

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