Heating with wood can harm your health

Wood as a fuel is becoming increasingly popular. The "renaissance" of the oldest energy source has several reasons: On the one hand wood is an inexpensive alternative to other fuels such as gas, oil or coal, also creates a blazing fire in the fireplace next to heat and a pleasant, atmosphere. However, the idea of ​​the environment also plays a major role for many consumers, because heating with wood is a sustainable energy supply option and, due to its low CO2 emissions, is considered climate-friendly. On the other hand, however, combustion also produces harmful fine particulate matter, which is why experts repeatedly demand stricter limit values.

Wood burning experienced "Renaissance"
More and more consumers are returning to wood firing, because this is relatively cheap, provides a cozy atmosphere and is considered climate neutral. But with all the advantages, wood as a fuel also has a dark side, because combustion causes particulate matter, which is suspected of damaging health. This was recalled recently by experts at a press conference, pointing to studies that showed a close connection between wood smoke and particulate matter pollution - which applies above all to domestic heating, according to the "Austria Presse Agentur eG" (APA).

"There is a tendency to sacred wood," says Nino Künzli from the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute to the APA. Accordingly, speaking in terms of climate protection, there are many reasons for continuing to support wood heating. But it is becoming clearer and clearer that the combustion process releases many particles that are hazardous to health, such as cancer, lung or cardiovascular disease.

Ten percent of particulate matter in Vienna from burning wood
It would not be necessarily produced by cars, which are usually considered as "fine dust sputter" par excellence, as by wood firing such as stoves, fireplaces and wood heating. Rather, for example, of the fine dust produced in winter in Vienna, about ten percent would come from the burning of wood, said Wilfried Winiwarter of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in relation to the APA. In rural areas, the proportion would even "towards 20 percent" and in valleys with a lot of inversion weather conditions even higher, the expert explained.

No optimal burning conditions in small plants
From the point of view of the researchers, a lot of "dirt" in particular comes from small plants, such as the many wood-burning stoves, which stand in their own rooms and are fired with logs. For many, it would not be worthwhile to retrofit a fine dust filter; moreover, optimal oven conditions would not usually prevail in these ovens. "If a furnace is operated incorrectly, dirt will come out," says German researcher Thomas Kuhlbusch from the Institute for Energy and Environmental Technology in Duisburg. On the other hand, boilers that are fired with pressed pieces of wood - the so-called "pellets" - are less problematical. Accordingly, according to the environmental hygienist Manfred Neuberger of the Med-University of Vienna "stricter limits" must be introduced to increase the proportion of low-emission facilities, also it is necessary in the context of the energy transition to promote geothermal heat pumps, wind power, solar energy and building insulation, so Neuberger further the APA.

Graz and Vienna were also the most affected in 2014
Even though there was a further decline in particulate matter pollution in 2014, Graz and Vienna remained the particulate matter strongholds, according to traffic association Austria (VCÖ). The inhabitants of Graz were exposed to the highest levels of particulate matter that could endanger health, and the most frequent transgressions were in Vienna, as well as in Leibnitz (Styria) and Linz. The main sources of particulate matter are traffic (mainly diesel-fueled vehicles), industry and household fires, in particular by burning in old wood-fired or coal-fired stoves. (No)