Apr 3, 2023 · Occupational exposure role on small cell lung cancer (SCLC) onset has been little studied. Many of these pollutants can worsen air quality indoors and outdoors. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of wood smoke and explore the question: is the smoke from burning walnut wood toxic? JSTOR Home Oct 3, 2024 · Wood smoke contains most of the same carcinogens as tobacco smoke, including formaldehyde, benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The toxic effects of wildfire smoke when chokingly thick can cause serious health risks and even death for those caught too close. Clear tips for grills and pits. S. And fire did something else. So, everything in moderation. Wood dust has been recognized as a human carcinogen, and many occupations have high wood-dust exposure. Nov 1, 2021 · Exposure to wood smoke is a risk factor for lung cancer; furthermore, this effect maintains a dose-response relationship which has a multiplicative effect with smoking. Wood Smoke is Toxic It would be bad enough if wood smoke was only a major source of hazardous particle pollution. The smoke from wood burning is made up of a complex mixture of gases and fine particles (also called particle pollution, particulate matter, or PM). Earlier data regarding the contamination of foods with carcinogenic PAHs refer to the concentration of this hydrocarbon. When you breathe Health Impacts of Wood Smoke Fireplaces and wood stoves produce smoke when wood doesn’t burn completely and, if operated incorrectly, even the most modern wood-burning devices can produce smoke. Nov 3, 2025 · To reduce wood smoke emissions, upgrade to a cleaner and more efficient heating device such as a heat pump, gas stove, or EPA-certified Step 2 pellet device or catalytic/hybrid wood stove. Feb 4, 2017 · The process of smoking is an ancient culinary practise that has been followed by various cultures across the globe. But is incense bad for you? We’ll break down the research as well as the limitations of the studies that have been done. Always attempt to limit breathing in smoke from a campfire, chimney, or fire pit, and position yourself far enough away so you can get fresh air. Pressed-wood products containing formaldehyde resins are often a significant source of formaldehyde in homes. Oct 6, 2023 · We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Another key issue: EPA certified wood stoves emit highly toxic dioxins at levels equal to, or even greater, than levels emitted by conventional wood burning devices. May 26, 2021 · Can breathing in wood smoke from your fire pit or bonfire harm your lungs? Learn about the dangers of wood smoke and get some tips for outdoor fire safety. Wood smoke also contains hundreds of chemical byproducts, some of which are linked to Jul 15, 2025 · Households are being warned about the dangers of wood-burning stoves, including modern eco-design models, as a new study by the University of Surrey’s Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE) has found that the use of woodstoves results in short-term exposures to high concentrations of toxic Nov 4, 2021 · Wood smoke from seasoned non-toxic woods is not toxic, but still poses health risks from smoke inhalation and air pollutants released by burning wood. In fact, authorities classify creosote-treated wood as hazardous waste, not fuel, for a very good reason. IARC group 1 Carcinogens are substances, chemical mixtures, and exposure circumstances which have been classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Apr 5, 2022 · Because exposure to wood smoke poses a potential carcinogenic hazard for people living in the United States, NIEHS is conducting a cancer hazard evaluation of wood smoke for potential listing in the Report on Carcinogens, a congressionally mandated, science-based public health document. Hardwoods like natural hickory, mesquite, and pecan are typically used for at least part of the burn mixture, in order to give it the taste of a real wood-fired grill. Nov 2, 2023 · Burning wood produces emissions that are widely recognized as harmful to human health. Particle pollution. A selection of quick facts about wood smoke pollution, including what it is and how it affects our health and climate. Dec 21, 2021 · Wood dust is known to be a human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in humans. Once the caveman had clubbed his prey, which of course wasn’t a dinosaur Nov 29, 2018 · Burning incense is a popular practice all over the world. . A later study, however, tested across the board, looking specifically at five different carcinogens in retail liquid smoke seasonings. Store wood outside, off the ground and covered. It is now well established, however, that wood-burning stoves and fireplaces as well as wildland and agricultural fires emit significant quantities of known health-damaging pollutants, including several carcinogenic compounds. There are few who don’t enjoy warming up by a fire in winter or sitting around a fire pit outside in the summer. What seems like a sturdy, seasoned piece of wood is actually a toxic fire hazard in disguise. Feb 12, 2020 · What is natural smoke flavor? It is real smoke which has been captured and condensed for use in cooking. Smoke is made up of a complex mixture of gases and fine particles produced when wood and other organic matter burn, including over 100 hazardous chemicals that are toxic and carcinogenic (cancer We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. In addition to particle pollution, wood smoke contains several toxic air pollutants including: benzene Exit formaldehyde Exit acrolein Exit For example, IARC considers there to be strong evidence that both tobacco smoking and eating processed meat can cause cancer, so both are listed as “carcinogenic to humans. The particles in smoke are tiny bits of solids and liquids made of partially burned wood. Nov 2, 2023 · Wood-Burning Emissions Threaten Lung Health Emissions from wood smoke, discussed below, can cause coughing, wheezing, asthma attacks, heart attacks, and premature death, among other health effects. Toxic fumes are generated in addition to wood smoke air pollutants. Apr 5, 2022 · Food service workers are exposed from wood smoke for cooking purposes. The fine black or brown powder that makes up soot may contain a number of carcinogens, including arsenic, cadmium, and chromium. Wood smoke contains thousands of chemicals, including known irritants, carcinogens, suspected carcinogens, endocrine disrupters, and compounds linked to birth defects. household use wood as their primary heating fuel; this is especially a problem for people living in the northwest and parts of the northeast. Smoke has a negative effect on your lungs Mar 2, 2022 · And in the long run, compounds in woodsmoke can have carcinogenic effects that go beyond lung cancer; in 2017, researchers at the National Institutes of Health found that indoor wood-smoke pollution increases the risk of breast cancer. Research shows that wood smoke is more toxic than cigarette smoke. Oct 23, 2025 · Use of wood-burning stoves and fires in homes is mostly unnecessary and their toxic pollution costs the NHS millions The burning of wood and coal in homes contributes to almost 2,500 deaths a year Dec 18, 2020 · We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. The negative health effects of residential wood smoke have now been extensively documented in hundreds of scientific studies. Because exposure to wood smoke poses a potential carcinogenic hazard for people living in the United States, NIEHS is conducting a cancer hazard evaluation of wood smoke for potential listing in the Report on Carcinogens, a congressionally mandated, science-based public health document. Wood smoke is made up of over 100 different chemicals and compounds including particulates, carbon monoxide, methane, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dioxins, lead, cadmium and arsenic. Burning treated wood may release these toxic chemicals into the environment in the smoke or in the ash that is disposed of later. The wood contains toxic tropane alkaloids, and burning it releases fumes that can cause confusion, hallucinations, and seizures. This Jan 6, 2020 · Burning wood in your fireplace all winter may feel nostalgic and keep you warm, but smoke from those fires can also cause health problems. Yet wood smoke contains many of the same toxic and carcinogenic substances as cigarette smoke, including benzene, benzo (a)pyrene, and dibenz (a,h)anthracene. Oct 28, 2025 · The Science Behind Wildfire Smoke’s Toxicity Tube Furnace System Published March 13, 2018 Where there is smoke, there is fire…and also air pollution. Abstract The sentiment that woodsmoke, being a natural substance, must be benign to humans is still sometimes heard. Most of the particles generated by burning wood are smaller than one micron—a size believed to be most damaging to our lungs. Terms explained Particles – tiny solid and liquid substances that can float in the air. They had, however, learned to make fire by banging together flintstones or rubbing two sticks together, and that at least made their cold and dingy dwellings more comfortable. Residential wood smoke is caused by homeowners when they burn wood through fireplaces, wood stoves, chimneys or wood boilers (hydronic heaters). Smoked foods such as ham, turkey, barbequed chicken, herring, and salmon were also tested. Mar 8, 2022 · And in the long run, compounds in woodsmoke can have carcinogenic effects that go beyond lung cancer; in 2017, researchers at the National Institutes of Health found that indoor wood-smoke The role of wood smoke (WS) exposure in the etiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer (LC), and mortality remains elusive in adults from countries with low ambient levels of combustion-emitted particulate matter. Aug 2, 2019 · Some carcinogenic PAHs are created in the process, however liquid smoke it filtered twice in order to remove much of them. Nov 3, 2025 · Wood smoke can irritate your lungs, cause inflammation, affect your immune system, and make you more prone to lung infections, likely including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that cause COVID-19. But wood smoke also contains toxic and carcinogenic substances, including: • benzene • polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons • benzopyrenes • dibenzanthracenes • dibenzocarbazoles • mercury Wood burning also creates dioxin —one of the most toxic substances on earth Project Statement: Smoke from residential burning of wood, wood burning restaurants and outdoor burning of wood, crops and debris is permeating our neighborhoods. If you have a lung disease, it can make your lung disease worse. Other potential indoor sources of formaldehyde include cigarette smoke and the use of unvented fuel-burning appliances, such as gas stoves, wood-burning stoves, and kerosene heaters. The smoke from an ordinary wood fire contains hundreds of compounds known to be carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, and irritating to the respiratory system. It contains harmful toxins and other substances known to cause cancer. Nationally Mar 4, 2022 · Back away from the brisket! There are some serious health concerns you should know about before planning your next cookout. The use of wood stoves has increased greatly in the past decade, causing concern in many communities about the health effects of wood smoke. People with lung disease face special risks, but so do children, older adults, people with cardiovascular disease and diabetics. Much like cigarette smoke, wood smoke contains hundreds of air pollutants that can cause cancer and other health problems. Dec 16, 2025 · Wood smoke is the complex mixture of gases and fine particles released during the incomplete combustion of wood from sources like fireplaces, wood stoves, or wildfires. Mar 14, 2011 · But recent research raises new concerns over the toxic substances borne aloft in wood smoke. Avoid this plant altogether for your safety. How it’s made involves burning wood. This burning results in high ground level concentrations of toxic air pollution. The EPA estimates that a single fireplace operating for an hour and burning 10 pounds of wood will generate 4,300 times more PAHs than 30 cigarettes. Protect yourself and your family by installing smoke detectors and at least 1 carbon monoxide (CO) alarm in your home. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. How wood smoke hurts human health Smoke is a complex mixture of gases and This article was first published in The Montreal Gazette. Apr 5, 2022 · Wood smoke is a complex mixture consisting of gases, chemicals (such as polyaromatic amines) and fine particles. Over 2 million U. The most widespread environmental carcinogen “The air we breathe has become polluted with a mixture of cancer-causing substances,” says Dr Kurt Straif, Head of the IARC Monographs Section. 3 days ago · Learn the right soak time for wood chips to smoke meat, when water helps, and when dry chips fit better. Wood smoke contains many small particulates that can be breathed in to your lungs and cause breathing problems. While the romantic image of a crackling fireplace is ingrained in our culture, scientific evidence overwhelmingly confirms that the inhalation of wood smoke significantly increases the risk of developing cancer, particularly lung cancer. Short-term exposure (over hours or days) to high levels of wood smoke can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat and can worsen symptoms of lung and heart disease. : none assigned Known to be a human carcinogen First listed in the Tenth Report on Carcinogens (2002) Dec 17, 2021 · We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Oct 9, 2024 · While walnut wood is a popular choice for burning due to its high BTU content and sweet, distinctive aroma, there’s a growing concern about the potential toxicity of its smoke. Bring it into your home as Project Statement: Smoke from residential burning of wood, wood burning restaurants and outdoor burning of wood, crops and debris is permeating our neighborhoods. Apr 14, 2015 · One of the seven liquid smoke flavors researchers tested contained one polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon known to be cancer-causing, but there’s a bunch of similar carcinogens researchers didn’t test for. One of these pollutants that is of most concern is fine particles. Consider installing a less polluting form of heating, such as flued gas or electric, or replace your wood heater with a model that complies with Australian Standards. Jun 22, 2021 · Here’s why grilling with charcoal, and grilling in general, is associated with increased risk of cancer, and what you can do about it. Wood smoke is pollution Wood burning is a major source of harmful air pollution in many communities, yet there is a critical lack of awareness about this serious public health and environmental issue. Wood smoke is known to contain such compounds as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, aldehydes, Oct 1, 2020 · Wood smoke can also contain several toxic substances such as benzene, formaldehyde, acrolein and methane. Wood smoke also contains hundreds of chemical byproducts, some of which are linked to Mar 8, 2022 · And in the long run, compounds in woodsmoke can have carcinogenic effects that go beyond lung cancer; in 2017, researchers at the National Institutes of Health found that indoor wood-smoke Smoked foods and cancer: carcinogenic components in wood smoke and smoked meats Smoking of foods has been implicated in the formation of cancer due to the presence of carcinogenic components in wood smoke and smoked meats. ” Toxic fumes are generated in addition to wood smoke air pollutants. May 1, 2025 · There are many epidemiological studies of the potential impact of smoke on human health; however, there are remarkably few in vitro studies, and an investigation of the underlying mechanisms of wildfire and wood smoke exposure on airway epithelial cells is required to better understand their toxicity and significance. Health effects of wood smoke What is wood smoke? Wood smoke is a complex mix of chemicals and particles, including: fine and coarse particles carbon monoxide sulphur dioxide nitrogen oxides volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These components include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), N-nitroso compounds, and possibly heterocyclic aromatic Dec 16, 2016 · In addition to particle pollution, wood smoke contains several toxic harmful air pollutants including: benzene, formaldhyde, acrolein and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). When you breathe In addition, the stated performance of EPA certified wood stoves degrades with use to the point where the particulate emissions are comparable to non-certified wood stoves. Wood burning is a source of toxic environmental pollutants, as well as carbon dioxide and short-lived climate pollutants that contribute to global warming. Once the smoke is captured, a variety of flavorings or colorings may be Initially, benzo (a)pyrene (BaP) was used as an indicator of carcinogenic PAHs in wood smoke and smoked products. [1] Because exposure to wood smoke and wildfire poses a potential carcinogenic hazard for people living in the United States, NIEHS is conducting a cancer hazard evaluation of wood smoke and wildfire for potential listing in the Report on Carcinogens, a congressionally mandated, science-based public health document. And wood smoke produces far more particulate pollution than cigarette smoke does. Where does wood smoke come from? Residential wood Dec 17, 2025 · When burned, these chemicals create highly toxic smoke that can irritate your respiratory system and cause long-term health issues. Wood treated with varnishes and sealants, wood from orchards sprayed with pesticides and pressure-treated wood may contain toxic chemicals. Jun 14, 2025 · Yes, wood smoke is carcinogenic. How does wood smoke affect health? Exposure to particulate matter air pollution, including the particles in wood smoke, is associated with a range of health effects. Dec 16, 2025 · Explore the scientific evidence classifying wood smoke as a human carcinogen, detailing the health consequences and strategies for minimizing risk. Have your wood burning appliance and chimney inspected annually and make sure you are burning the right wood, the right way, and in the right appliance. The inhalation of wood smoke may cause or aggravate respiratory illness and may trigger asthma or allergies. Jul 1, 1990 · Wood Dust CAS No. It is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as probably carcinogenic to humans. Many of these harmful emissions can occur both indoors and outdoors. Wood smoke is linked with the same variety of illnesses and diseases that are linked with smoking and secondhand cigarette smoke exposure, including ear infections, lung infections, asthma, COPD, heart attacks Mar 10, 2022 · Is liquid-smoke completely plant-based and vegan? Is it healthy? Does it contain carcinogens? If it’s healthy enough, how should it be used? Here are answers to common questions about liquid smoke, with links to more details if you’re want to go deeper. Feb 29, 2024 · Truth or Scare? We all know that smoke contains carcinogenic chemicals, so does that make BBQ, grilling, and low and slow smoking cancer-causing? Is there any connection between cancer and the smoke we use to flavor our meat? We wanted to find out, and in this article, we provide the research and what we discovered. An emerging concern for exposure to wood smoke is from increasing the numbers of wildfires. Feb 26, 2014 · Different brands of liquid smoke flavorings have been tested for DNA-damaging potential, p53 activation, and levels of known carcinogens. Soot is a byproduct of the incomplete burning of organic (carbon-containing) materials, such as wood, fuel oil, plastics, and household refuse. Jul 14, 2022 · Cold-smoked salmon and lox are rich in healthy omega-3 oils, but they may carry potential health risks, such as bacterial infection. A registered dietitian explains how smoked meats might raise your risk Dec 17, 2021 · We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. There are so many delicacies that centre around this method of cooking - apple wood smoked pulled chicken, smoked beef jerky, smoked prime rib, Khasi smoked pork, etc. May 14, 2022 · Smoking and grilling meat, poultry, and fish create carcinogens and increase one's risk of cancer. Wood smoke can get into your home: from other nearby homes with wood-burning stoves when you open the stove to add or stoke the firewood through leaks and cracks in faulty or poorly Smoke is composed of many small particles of carbon and other compounds from burning of organic matter such as wood or coal. Cavemen in the Stone Age didn’t have many luxuries. PAHs are carcinogenic. Even though humans have burned wood since the beginning of time, scientists have only recently discovered just how hazardous wood smoke pollution is to our health. In addition to flavor, reaction color, anti-microbial, and texture effects are obtained by topical addition followed by thermal processing. Yet few people know that open fires and wood burners release pollutants into the air. Liquid smoke is used extensively by topical application to replace direct wood-smoking of food. Food service workers are exposed from wood smoke for cooking purposes. Researchers have found evidence that wood smoke is more carcinogenic than tobacco smoke and more mutagenic than traffic exhaust. Millions of people are becoming ill from these emissions and some are dying. Many particles are invisible. What’s in Wood Smoke and How it is Harmful Wood smoke is a mixture of solids, gases, and liquids. “We now know that outdoor air pollution is not only a major risk to health in general, but also a leading environmental cause of cancer deaths. ” Oct 28, 2025 · The Science Behind Wildfire Smoke’s Toxicity Tube Furnace System Published March 13, 2018 Where there is smoke, there is fire…and also air pollution. Dec 14, 2020 · Smoke forms when wood or other organic matter burns.

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