health
Wood burning is reintroducing lead pollution into the air, US scientists find
Study of samples from seven winters suggests neurotoxic metal coming from wood itself rather than old paint
TL;DR
- Wood heating is reintroducing lead into the air, according to a University of Massachusetts Amherst study.
- Analysis of particle pollution samples revealed associations between wood burning particles (potassium) and lead.
- The lead is believed to come from trees absorbing it from the soil and storing it in their tissues.
- Combustion temperatures are high enough for lead to become part of the smoke.
- While lead concentrations are less than US legal limits, any exposure to lead is considered harmful.
- Wood fuel use has negative consequences on air quality and public health.