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Wood Burners & Lung Cancer

Most people know that smoking tobacco can increase the risk for lung cancer. Another risk factor that gets less attention is air pollution caused by the burning of wood near populated areas.

  1. Lung Cancer

    • According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the second most common cancer for men and women in the United States. Lung cancer is caused when cells in your lungs mutate and begin to grow uncontrolled. Prevention of lung cancer focuses on protecting your lungs from outside irritants.

    Risk Factors

    • Smoke from wood burners can harm your lungs, reports the World Health Organization. The particles and chemicals in the smoke are not completely filtered by your body, and they settle in the lungs and damage your cells. Damaged cells can become cancerous.

    Wood Burners

    • Wood burners heat some homes and businesses. Without proper ventilation, the smoke from the wood burner pollutes the air inside the building being heated. As smoke is ventilated out of the building, it can pollute the outside air surrounding the building.

    Air Pollution

    • The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution kills more than 1.6 million people a year. All air pollution contains chemicals, smoke and particles; small soot or dust particles can penetrate deep into your lungs and cause health problems, for years, including cancer.

    Solutions

    • Heat your home or business with cleaner burning fuel sources like gas or electricity instead of wood. Make sure there is always proper ventilation, and when in doubt wear a mask. Install air filters for rooms in which ventilation is a challenge. See your doctor if you experience lung problems that do not improve or go away.

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