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The burning of wood and coal for domestic heating is a threat to health. This site is intended to raise awareness about the damage to human health caused by breathing smoke from the domestic combustion of coal and wood. Whilst there is every intention to be truthful and accurate both in fact and conclusion, visitors to this site may consider some aspects of the material contained herein open to debate. A revision of this site has started (January 2008) and will finish January 2009 and will take advantage of improved research and greater availability of information. Before its completion, you may prefer to visit the American Burning Issues site or the Australian Armidale Air Quality site. Introduction
Adverse
health effects are associated with emissions from burning solid fuels
such as coal and wood in open fireplaces and stoves. Perhaps the
most
harmful pollutant in smoky emissions are inhalable particles often
known by their size as PM10's which are airborne particles less than 10
micrometres across. Other smoke particles are classified by their
size
as PM2.5; PM1.0 and PM0.1. Coarser PM10 particles lodge in the
trachea and lung. Finer, smaller particles may enter the blood
system
and lodge in the body’s major organs including the brain. The
total
quantity of these small smoke particles from home fires may not be as
large as other sources such as transport, power generation and industry
but they do produce high and harmful concentrations of pollutants in
close vicinity to people. Smoke particles are mostly carbon
but other
harmful substances are also emitted either as a vapour or attached to
the particles. These substances include sulphur dioxide, carbon
monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, dioxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,
heavy metals.
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