Only traffic produces more polluting fine particles than wood-burning stoves in Finland. Even industries that use wood as fuel pollute less, because they use filters and a different burning method.
A sauna stove pollutes more than a fireplace, but there are more fireplaces in use.
The study was funded by the Environment Ministry, with the participation of the Finnish Environment Institute and the Finnish Meteorological Society.
Higher Risk of Heart Disease
All in all, fine particles cause the premature death of an estimated 300 people a year. Thirty of these deaths are attributed to wood burning.
Marko Tainio, a researcher at the National Public Health Institute, says that fine particles are a factor especially in heart and pulmonary disease, cases of which are on the rise. They also contribute to lung cancer.
The Environment Ministry is preparing regulations which would set limits to fine particle emissions on new fireplaces, sauna stoves, and other small wood-burning devices.