Wood-burning stoves can keep you warm and cozy but can be hazardous to your health if used improperly.
Over the short term, the fumes from a wood-burning stove can cause respiratory symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath. Recurrent exposure can cause the worsening of symptoms in people withasthma,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),heart failure, and others.
According to the American Lung Association, wood-burning stoves produce toxins that are damaging to your lungs and can increase the risk of lung disease, heart disease, and even cancer.
This article explains the health risks associated with wood-burning stoves and how to use them safely if they are intended for heat or simply to create a cozy atmosphere.
Stefan Cristian Cioata / Getty Images
What Happens When Wood Burns
The smoke from a wood-burning stove releases a variety of pollutants, mainly in the form of toxic gases, particle pollutants, orcreosote.
Creosote is a gummy, foul-smelling residue that sticks to the inside of your chimney. It is produced when wood gases are not completely burned. The buildup can cause a chimney fire.
The smoke from burning wood also contains cancer-causing substances (carcinogens) that are similar to those found in tobacco smoke. These includebenzeneand polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
The quality of the stove also contributes to its safety. Old or poorly-installed wood-burning stoves pose a higher risk of smoke emission, creosote, air pollution, and house fires.
Do You Smell Smoke?If you regularly see or smell smoke, it may mean that the stove and/or chimney are not operating safely and need servicing.
Do You Smell Smoke?
If you regularly see or smell smoke, it may mean that the stove and/or chimney are not operating safely and need servicing.
Health Risks of Wood-Burning Stoves
According to a 2015 study inEnvironmental Research,exposure to particle pollution increases the risk of emergency room visits, hospital admissions, and even death from heart and lung disease.
In the end, anyone with a chronic illness is more susceptible to the harmful effects of wood smoke. The stoves may look pretty but exude fumes that can cause long-lasting or even permanent harm, especially to children with developing lungs and smaller body sizes.
Carcinogens in wood smoke may also contribute to the onset of cancers likelung cancerand evenbreast cancer.
Short-Term Health Effects
You may feel the effects of a wood-burning stove while it is burning or afterward when near the toxic remnants of a fire. Symptoms of inhaling wood smoke from any source may includeshortness of breath, coughing, worsening allergies, andacute bronchitis.
Long-Term Health Effects
Particulate pollution can be breathed deep into the lungs. Once trapped, it can damage the cells and contribute to the worsening of not only lung diseases but heart diseases as well.
Wood Smoke and Lung InfectionExcessive or prolonged exposure to wood smoke also increases the risk of respiratory infections such aspneumoniaorbronchiolitis.
Wood Smoke and Lung Infection
Excessive or prolonged exposure to wood smoke also increases the risk of respiratory infections such aspneumoniaorbronchiolitis.
Long-term exposure has been linked to the development of:
Health and Safety Tips
EPA-certified wood-burning stoves burn more efficiently than older models with less smoke leakage and creosote build-up.
When using a wood-burning stove:
You also need to ensure that your home has ample ventilation and all the necessary safety features to protect yourself and your family.
Among the considerations:
EPA WarningThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises limiting exposure to wood smoke and always adhering to safety precautions whenever you use them.
EPA Warning
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises limiting exposure to wood smoke and always adhering to safety precautions whenever you use them.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Lung Association.Residential wood burning.American Lung Association.What you need to know about your wood-burning stove and heater.Semmens E, Noonan C, Allen R, Weiler E, Ward T.Indoor particulate matter in rural, wood stove heated homes.Environ Res.2015;138:93-100. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2015.02.005White AJ, Sandler DP.Indoor wood-burning stove and fireplace use and breast cancer in a prospective cohort study.Environ Health Perspect.2017 Jul;125(7):077011. doi:10.1289/EHP827Environmental Protection Agency.Best wood-burning practices.Rokoff L, Koutrakis P, Garshick E, et al.Wood stove pollution in the developed world: a case to raise awareness among pediatricians.Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care.2017;47(6):123-141. doi:10.1016/j.cppeds.2017.04.001White A, Sandler DP.Indoor wood-burning stove and fireplace use and breast cancer in a prospective cohort study.Environ Health Perspect.2017 Jul;125(7):077011. doi:10.1289/EHP827Environmental Protection Agency.Wood smoke and your health.Ljungman PLS, Andersson N, Stockfelt L, et al.Long-term exposure to particulate air pollution, black carbon, and their source components in relation to ischemic heart disease and stroke.Environ Health Perspect. 2019;127(10):107012. doi:10.1289/EHP4757Bede-Ojimadu O, Orisakwe OB.Exposure to wood smoke and associated health effects in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review.Ann Glob Health.2020;86(1):32. doi:10.5334/aogh.2725Unosson J, Blomberg A, Sandstrom T, et al.Exposure to wood smoke increases arterial stiffness and decreases heart rate variability in humans.Part Fibre Toxicol.2013;10:20. doi:10.1186/1743-8977-10-20Oudin A, Segersson D, Adolfsson R, Forsberg B.Association between air pollution from residential wood burning and dementia incidence in a longitudinal study in Northern Sweden.PLoS ONE.2018;13(6):e0198283. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0198283Environmental Protection Agency.EPA certified wood stoves.Ward T, Semmens E, Weiler E, Harrar S, Noonan C.Efficacy of interventions targeting household air pollution from residential wood stoves.J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol.2017;27(1):64-71. doi:10.1038/jes.2015.73
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Lung Association.Residential wood burning.American Lung Association.What you need to know about your wood-burning stove and heater.Semmens E, Noonan C, Allen R, Weiler E, Ward T.Indoor particulate matter in rural, wood stove heated homes.Environ Res.2015;138:93-100. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2015.02.005White AJ, Sandler DP.Indoor wood-burning stove and fireplace use and breast cancer in a prospective cohort study.Environ Health Perspect.2017 Jul;125(7):077011. doi:10.1289/EHP827Environmental Protection Agency.Best wood-burning practices.Rokoff L, Koutrakis P, Garshick E, et al.Wood stove pollution in the developed world: a case to raise awareness among pediatricians.Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care.2017;47(6):123-141. doi:10.1016/j.cppeds.2017.04.001White A, Sandler DP.Indoor wood-burning stove and fireplace use and breast cancer in a prospective cohort study.Environ Health Perspect.2017 Jul;125(7):077011. doi:10.1289/EHP827Environmental Protection Agency.Wood smoke and your health.Ljungman PLS, Andersson N, Stockfelt L, et al.Long-term exposure to particulate air pollution, black carbon, and their source components in relation to ischemic heart disease and stroke.Environ Health Perspect. 2019;127(10):107012. doi:10.1289/EHP4757Bede-Ojimadu O, Orisakwe OB.Exposure to wood smoke and associated health effects in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review.Ann Glob Health.2020;86(1):32. doi:10.5334/aogh.2725Unosson J, Blomberg A, Sandstrom T, et al.Exposure to wood smoke increases arterial stiffness and decreases heart rate variability in humans.Part Fibre Toxicol.2013;10:20. doi:10.1186/1743-8977-10-20Oudin A, Segersson D, Adolfsson R, Forsberg B.Association between air pollution from residential wood burning and dementia incidence in a longitudinal study in Northern Sweden.PLoS ONE.2018;13(6):e0198283. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0198283Environmental Protection Agency.EPA certified wood stoves.Ward T, Semmens E, Weiler E, Harrar S, Noonan C.Efficacy of interventions targeting household air pollution from residential wood stoves.J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol.2017;27(1):64-71. doi:10.1038/jes.2015.73
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Lung Association.Residential wood burning.American Lung Association.What you need to know about your wood-burning stove and heater.Semmens E, Noonan C, Allen R, Weiler E, Ward T.Indoor particulate matter in rural, wood stove heated homes.Environ Res.2015;138:93-100. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2015.02.005White AJ, Sandler DP.Indoor wood-burning stove and fireplace use and breast cancer in a prospective cohort study.Environ Health Perspect.2017 Jul;125(7):077011. doi:10.1289/EHP827Environmental Protection Agency.Best wood-burning practices.Rokoff L, Koutrakis P, Garshick E, et al.Wood stove pollution in the developed world: a case to raise awareness among pediatricians.Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care.2017;47(6):123-141. doi:10.1016/j.cppeds.2017.04.001White A, Sandler DP.Indoor wood-burning stove and fireplace use and breast cancer in a prospective cohort study.Environ Health Perspect.2017 Jul;125(7):077011. doi:10.1289/EHP827Environmental Protection Agency.Wood smoke and your health.Ljungman PLS, Andersson N, Stockfelt L, et al.Long-term exposure to particulate air pollution, black carbon, and their source components in relation to ischemic heart disease and stroke.Environ Health Perspect. 2019;127(10):107012. doi:10.1289/EHP4757Bede-Ojimadu O, Orisakwe OB.Exposure to wood smoke and associated health effects in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review.Ann Glob Health.2020;86(1):32. doi:10.5334/aogh.2725Unosson J, Blomberg A, Sandstrom T, et al.Exposure to wood smoke increases arterial stiffness and decreases heart rate variability in humans.Part Fibre Toxicol.2013;10:20. doi:10.1186/1743-8977-10-20Oudin A, Segersson D, Adolfsson R, Forsberg B.Association between air pollution from residential wood burning and dementia incidence in a longitudinal study in Northern Sweden.PLoS ONE.2018;13(6):e0198283. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0198283Environmental Protection Agency.EPA certified wood stoves.Ward T, Semmens E, Weiler E, Harrar S, Noonan C.Efficacy of interventions targeting household air pollution from residential wood stoves.J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol.2017;27(1):64-71. doi:10.1038/jes.2015.73
American Lung Association.Residential wood burning.
American Lung Association.What you need to know about your wood-burning stove and heater.
Semmens E, Noonan C, Allen R, Weiler E, Ward T.Indoor particulate matter in rural, wood stove heated homes.Environ Res.2015;138:93-100. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2015.02.005
White AJ, Sandler DP.Indoor wood-burning stove and fireplace use and breast cancer in a prospective cohort study.Environ Health Perspect.2017 Jul;125(7):077011. doi:10.1289/EHP827
Environmental Protection Agency.Best wood-burning practices.
Rokoff L, Koutrakis P, Garshick E, et al.Wood stove pollution in the developed world: a case to raise awareness among pediatricians.Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care.2017;47(6):123-141. doi:10.1016/j.cppeds.2017.04.001
White A, Sandler DP.Indoor wood-burning stove and fireplace use and breast cancer in a prospective cohort study.Environ Health Perspect.2017 Jul;125(7):077011. doi:10.1289/EHP827
Environmental Protection Agency.Wood smoke and your health.
Ljungman PLS, Andersson N, Stockfelt L, et al.Long-term exposure to particulate air pollution, black carbon, and their source components in relation to ischemic heart disease and stroke.Environ Health Perspect. 2019;127(10):107012. doi:10.1289/EHP4757
Bede-Ojimadu O, Orisakwe OB.Exposure to wood smoke and associated health effects in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review.Ann Glob Health.2020;86(1):32. doi:10.5334/aogh.2725
Unosson J, Blomberg A, Sandstrom T, et al.Exposure to wood smoke increases arterial stiffness and decreases heart rate variability in humans.Part Fibre Toxicol.2013;10:20. doi:10.1186/1743-8977-10-20
Oudin A, Segersson D, Adolfsson R, Forsberg B.Association between air pollution from residential wood burning and dementia incidence in a longitudinal study in Northern Sweden.PLoS ONE.2018;13(6):e0198283. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0198283
Environmental Protection Agency.EPA certified wood stoves.
Ward T, Semmens E, Weiler E, Harrar S, Noonan C.Efficacy of interventions targeting household air pollution from residential wood stoves.J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol.2017;27(1):64-71. doi:10.1038/jes.2015.73
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