Why regulating wood heating?
Woodburning generates smoke, which contains fine particulates. These fine particulates can remain in the air for days and have the potential to penetrate deep into the lungs if inhaled. The potential effects of fine particulates vary from irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract, to more serious disorders, including asthma, bronchitis, reduced lung function and early mortality. Children, the elderly and people with lung disease tend to be the most vulnerable. Wood smoke also contains a number of compounds, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are also potentially harmful to human health. In certain areas, most notably where there is a dense concentration of wood burners and/or topographical or adverse weather conditions, a high concentration of fine particulates can result; In some cases, those conditions are only temporary; in other situations they are chronic. In these areas, wood heating may not be suitable and a controlled
