Lung diseases and lung cancer

With every breath, a large number of fine dust particles enter the lungs. The smaller the particles are, the deeper they penetrate into the lungs. There they are deposited in the bronchi and alveoli and can damage the epithelial cells and in some cases trigger serious diseases. 

The irritation of the airways leads to coughing and breathing difficulties. Bouts of breathlessness, chronic cough and sputum production, bronchitis and chronic bronchitis as well as respiratory infections can also occur. 

Asthma can be exacerbated and its severity increased.

COPD is also associated with burning wood. There is a strong link between exposure to wood or charcoal smoke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. European Respiratory journal

The risk of developing cancer is identical to the risk of lung cancer from passive smoking. Toxic substances such as benzo(a)pyrene play a central role in promoting cancer in smokers. These toxic substances are also produced when wood is burned. You would have to light 27,333 cigarettes (Graphik) to emit the same amount of benzo(a)pyrene as burning one kilogram of wood

A study by researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences found that women who used a wood-burning stove or fireplace more than 30 days a year had a 68% higher overall rate of lung cancer than women who did not use wood for heating. Even if you are rarely exposed to the pollutants from burning wood indoors (fireplace, Swedish stove, etc.), the risk of lung cancer is increased.

For people who are already ill, the pollutants and fine dust particles are particularly stressful. The symptom-free phases can be shorter and the average lung capacity reduced. Polluted breathing air also leads to an increase in emergency consultations and hospital admissions due to respiratory diseases. BAFU / Office for the Environment