Can Fireplace Smoke Be Harmful to Your Health?

Who doesn’t like to sit by the fire, wrapped up in a warm blanket, drinking hot cocoa, with the smell of burning wood permeating the house? It sounds cozy, does it not? Cozy it might be, but can fireplace smoke be harmful for you and your family?

IF YOU CAN SMELL SMOKE, YOU’RE BREATHING IT

Let’s look at health issues commonly associated with burning wood in a fireplace or stove. Inhaling smoke from a wood fire is not good. Over time, it can cause lung disease and even cancer. In the short term, it can cause headaches and irritations to your eyes, sinuses, lungs and throat. It can mean reduced lung function and more severe symptoms of existing lung diseases. Inhaling smoke can also increase the risk of a heart attack.

Wood smoke contains very small particulate matter (PM2.5), which are tiny particles contained in smog. These fine particles can be in a solid or liquid form and their minuscule size makes it easy for them to travel deep into your lungs when you breathe them. They irritate the respiratory tract, can aggravate cardiovascular diseases and can eventually, even cause death.

Other pollutants contained in wood smoke are volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Also present in smog, they are odorless, tasteless and colorless compounds. They too irritate the respiratory tract and can cause breathing difficulties. Some VOCs can also cause cancer.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a dangerous pollutant present in wood smoke. Unlike smoke though, you cannot smell carbon monoxide. CO is odorless, colorless and tasteless. It’s poisonous and deadly if inhaled in larger quantities. It also causes nausea, headaches and dizziness and can also aggravate the health condition of people with cardiac issues.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are another health hazardous compound found in wood smoke. Some are suspected of causing cancer. Other toxic components like chlorinated dioxins and nitrogen oxides are also found in smoke and can contribute to various lung problems.

CERTAIN GROUPS ARE AT HIGHER RISK

Children are more at risk of developing health issues from wood smoke than adults because their respiratory systems are still developing. They also inhale more air since they are generally more active than adults. Babies and pregnant women are also at higher risk.

Anybody with lung or heart disease, such as asthma, emphysema or angina, are particularly vulnerable to fireplace smoke and will see their health affected quicker than healthier people.

Older adults are at a higher risk for health issues related to the smoke from a wood fire.

It’s also worth noting that winter weather conditions can restrict the dispersion of air pollutants of wood smoke. Depending on the location of the house and chimney, for example low-lying areas or valleys, smoke can be trapped at ground level for a period of time and increase a person’s exposure.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Make sure that any wood-burning appliance that you own or plan to buy complies with the latest standards set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). New standards, put in place in 2020, means wood-burning fireplaces, stoves and inserts release nearly 80% less smoke and burn 30% – 40% less wood than older, non-certified models. Reburn systems designed in new equipment actually burn the smoke and other by-products of combustion very thoroughly. You’ll see very little, if any smoke coming out of the chimney!

When looking for a new stove or fireplace, your WE LOVE FIRE® expert offers many extremely efficient models. All of these will significantly reduce the possibility of health issues of burning wood.

If you or a loved one has severe health problems, consider a fuel other than wood. There are some truly impressive electric and gas models available.

An electric fireplace in a cozy living room highlights the point that electric fireplaces can be an alternative for people with health issues

Electric Fireplace Astound by Napoleon

USE CORRECT TECHNIQUES

This starts by using nothing but properly seasoned wood.

Other “correct techniques” mean:

  1. Have a gasketed, tight sealing door installed on your fireplace, stove or insert instead of a screen.
  2. Be sure that anyone who operates the wood-burning equipment is familiar with the air control and the reburn system of the appliance.

Be sure you have a certified professional inspect and clean your chimney at least once every year.

  1. Correct any deficiencies that are pointed out with your appliance or chimney.
  2. Replace older gear with new, 2020 EPA certified equipment.
  3. For safety’s sake, be sure smoke alarms and CO detectors are in working order.

SAFETY AND HEALTH

Obviously, the safety and well-being of your family are priority one. You and your loved ones will breathe easier and sleep better knowing that your nearby WE LOVE FIRE®  expert has been in the business of protecting lives and property for many years. Count on us to provide services and products that do exactly that.

Below is a list of fireplace and grill stores that service ()

Auburn, AL

Top Hat Chimney Sweeps
1280 Financial Ct.
Auburn, AL 36830

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Elk Grove, CA

Custom Fireside Shops
9097 Elk Grove Blvd.
Elk Grove, CA 95624

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Sacramento, CA

Custom Fireside Shops
5455 Auburn Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95841

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Durango, CO

Durango Outdoor Living
140 Rock Point Drive
Durango, CO 81301

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Durango, CO

Four Corner Stoves & Spas
3001 Main Avenue
Durango, CO 81301

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Grand Junction, CO

Stove Depot and Chimney Works
330 North Ave.
Grand Junction, CO 81501

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New London, CT

Family Hearth and Patio LLC
571 Broad Street
New London, CT 06320

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Ridgefield, CT

Yankee Doodle, Inc.
71 Ethan Allen Highway
Ridgefield, CT 06877

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Dover, DE

Byler's Stove Shoppe Inc.
1368b Rose Valley School Rd.
Dover, DE 19904

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Destin, FL

Doodlebuggers Service Network
36054 Emerald Coast Parkway
Destin, FL 32541

Bettendorf, IA

Fireplaces Plus, Inc.
1745 State Street
Bettendorf, IA 52722

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Post Falls, ID

Quality Stoves & Home Furnishings
569 N Syringa St
Post Falls, ID 83854

Rockford, IL

Advanced Chimney Systems, Inc.
3486 Lonergan Drive
Rockford, IL 61109

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Wauconda, IL

Grass Roots Energy, Inc.
28751 N Route 12
Wauconda, IL 60084

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Evansville, IN

Firemaster, Inc.
5300 E Morgan Avenue
Evansville, IN 47715

Jeffersonville, IN

Olde Towne Chimney & Fireplace Sales
915 Nachand Ln
Jeffersonville, IN 47130

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Overland Park, KS

Kansas City Fireplace Center
10470 Metcalf Avenue
Overland Park, KS 66212

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Erlanger, KY

TateBuilder's Supply, LLC
3511 Dixie Highway
Erlanger, KY 41018

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Littleton, MA

Woodstove, Fireplace and Patio Shop, Inc.
60 White Street
Littleton, MA 01460

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Seekonk, MA

The Fireplace Showcase
775 Fall River Ave
Seekonk, MA 02771

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Sudbury, MA

Woodstove, Fireplace and Patio Shop, Inc.
348 Boston Post Road
Sudbury, MA 01776

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Duluth, MN

Duluth Stove & Fireplace
2431 W Superior Street
Duluth, MN 55806

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Minneapolis, MN

Woodland Stoves & Fireplaces
2901 Franklin Ave. South
Minneapolis, MN 55406

Oakdale, MN

Energy Savers of Minnesota
6298 Highway 36 Blvd N
Oakdale, MN 55128

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Rochester, MN

Brekke Fireplace Shoppe
1904 S. Broadway
Rochester, MN 55904

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Walker, MN

Wilkening Fireplace Company
9608 State 371 NW
Walker, MN 56484

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Fargo, ND

Home Heating, Plumbing & A/C Inc.
701 28th Street South
Fargo, ND 58103

Omaha, NE

Fireplace By Design
13913 R Plaza
Omaha, NE 68137

Epping, NH

The Stove Shoppe
285, Calef Highway Rte. 125
Epping, NH 03042

Windham, NH

The Stove Shoppe
25 Indian Rock Road
Windham, NH 03087

Hamilton, NJ

Bowden's Fireside - Hearth & Home
1731 Nottingham Way
Hamilton, NJ 08619

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Voorhees, NJ

Rettinger Fireplace Systems, Inc.
476 Centennial Blvd
Voorhees, NJ 08043

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St. Henry, OH

Buschur's Refrigeration, Inc.
541 N Eastern Avenue
St. Henry, OH 45883

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Media, PA

Chimney Cricket
101 State Road
Media, PA 19063

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Rapid City, SD

Hebron Brick Company
1543 Deadwood Ave
Rapid City, SD 57709

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Sioux Falls, SD

Hebron Brick Company
2211 W. 50th Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57105-6525

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Vermillion, SD

Kalin's Indoor Comfort Inc.
710 Cottage Avenue
Vermillion, SD 57069

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Manassas, VA

Winston's Chimney Service
11301 Industrial Road
Manassas, VA 20109

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Barre, VT

Chimney Sweep Fireplace Shop
1284 US Rte, 302 Ste 10
Barre, VT 05641-2317

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Bennington, VT

Friends of The Sun
126 Hicks Avenue
Bennington, VT 05201

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Manchester, VT

Friends of The Sun
159 Depot Street
Manchester, VT 05255

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Shelburne, VT

Chimney Sweep Fireplace Shop
3113 Shelburne Road
Shelburne, VT 05482

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White River Jnct, VT

Home Comfort of New England
1255 VA Cut Off Road
White River Jnct, VT 05001

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Burlington, WI

Burlington Fireplace & Heating LLC
857 Milwaukee Ave.
Burlington, WI 53105

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Madison, WI

Top Hat
5117 Verona Rd
Madison, WI 53711

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Morgantown, WV

Rustic By Design
709 Beechurst Ave. Suite 15
Morgantown, WV 26505

Laramie, WY

High Country Stoves & Fireplaces
860 N. 3rd Street
Laramie, WY 82072


For more information, contact your local fireplace and grill store.

2 Responses

  1. Eleven Steps to a Well-Maintained Wood Fireplace – A Nation of Moms
    […] fireplace doesn’t have any doors, you might consider adding some. Doors on a fireplace provide a safe environment, since they prevent sparks from flying out of the fireplace. They also improve the energy […]
  2. Alfredo
    How far away from a home with wood chimney particles does it effect another home inside that’s about 130 to 150 feet away? Or being outside with same chimney distance burning does it effect That person? There is not much I can do about a person who burns wood in cold days. Is there any real studies of this? Could you send it to through my email. Thank you
    • Dominique Page
      There are no studies to take effect that we know of.

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