Lung development and respiratory health

Lung function and lung development have been shown to be impaired by particulate pollution.

When infants are exposed to increased levels of ultrafine particles (the size range most commonly found in wood burning), they develop genetic defects that are eventually linked to COPD and steroid-resistant asthma. This is shown by research.

These genetic defects can cause structural changes in the lungs, restriction of airflow and permanent changes in immune response.

Studies show that air pollution caused by burning wood can increase the risk of bronchiolitis, bronchitis and pneumonia, the most common cause of hospitalization in infants and children.

Children living in a household with a wood-burning stove (fireplace, wood-burning stove, Swedish stove…) are, according to studies, more likely to suffer from severe respiratory symptoms.

Children are more likely to develop asthma by the age of 5 if they are exposed to higher levels of particulate matter from burning wood.

Researchers have found that children with asthma have a significant deterioration in lung function if they live in an area where a lot of wood is burned.