What is wood smoke?
Wood smoke is a complex mix of chemicals and particles, including:
Where does wood smoke come from?
Residential wood smoke is produced from wood heaters, open fire places and back yard burning. Chimineas and pizza ovens often found in many backyards can also be a source of smoke.
Up to 70% of wood smoke can be retained in your home and may affect your health if your indoor wood burning appliance is poorly maintained.
Wood smoke and your health
Wood smoke affects the quality of both indoor and outdoor air. The influence on human health comes from the fine and coarse particulate matter. Fine particles in particular are linked with the most harmful affects. Wood smoke is composed mostly of fine particles.
Particulate matter
The effect that particulate matter will have on your health depends on the size of the particles as well as any underlying health conditions.
Particles with a diameter of 10 micrometres (PM10) or less are a mixture of coarse and fine particles.
Coarse particles have a diameter between 2.5 and 10 micrometres (PM2.5-10) for example soot, dust and pollen. When breathed in these particles settle in the lungs and narrow airways.
Fine particles have a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres (PM2.5), for example smoke. These particles penetrate deep into the lungs and smaller airways.
Fine and coarse particles both contribute to several health problems:
Short term effects
Long term effects
What levels affect your health?
When particulates are at low levels (just above background air quality levels), sensitive people will be the first to be affected. As the levels increase, even healthy people will be affected.
Sensitivity to wood smoke
Some members of the community are considered more vulnerable to wood smoke and therefore are more likely to develop health problems or experience aggravation of existing health problems. These people include:
elderly people
young children
people with existing respiratory diseases like asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia and
people with cardiovascular disease
Decreasing the Effects of Wood Smoke Wood Quality
Only use wel
l seasoned hardwoods
Do not use stained, treated or painted wood
Chop your wood into smaller pieces and
Store your wood loosely stacked and covered in a well aerated area
Burn Bright
Use plenty of kindling and paper to establish a good fire quickly
Use smaller logs to get the fire started and larger logs for slower burning
Stack your fire such that there is 2 cm between each log. This allows air to get into the hot area of the fire and
Do not over fill the heater or fire place
Wood heater and fireplace
Alternatives
If you have an old wood heater, consider purchasing a low emissions wood heater compliant with Australia/ New Zealand standard 4013:1999. You can check this by looking for the wood heater compliance plate on the back of the heater.
Change your winter heating techniques to gas or electric heaters.
Back yard burning of household waste is completely banned by some local governments. Contact your local council to find out about backyard burning.
More Information
For more information on pollution and wood heater compliance visit the Department of Environment and Conservation's website under "halt the haze"
In the event of a smoking nuisance in your neighbourhood, communication with your neighbour is the first step. If this fails, raise the issue with your local council. Most councils employ environmental health officers who can investigate smoke complaints.
