Halton Region
1151 Bronte Road, Oakville
Ontario, Canada, L6M 3L1
Phone: Dial 311 or
905-825-6000
Toll free: 1-866-442-5866
Email Halton Region
Wood Heating and Air Quality Fact Sheet 152KB
Many Halton residents burn wood to heat their homes or to enjoy a warm, cosy atmosphere. However, this can result in greater air pollutant emissions and a range of health impacts.
Be energy wise. A well-sealed and properly ventilated home will reduce your energy needs. This will cut down on the pollution your heating appliance creates, regardless of fuel source. It will also be cheaper to operate.
Emissions from burning wood in the home can affect air quality both indoors and outdoors. These emissions contribute to smog, often being the most important source of air pollutants in residential neighbourhoods. Wood burning contributes to poor air quality by emitting the following pollutants:
As a result, your neighbours may experience a loss of enjoyment of normal use of their properties and may also have health concerns.
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Did you know? Wood smoke contains over 100 pollutants!
Wood smoke can cause irritations such as:
Wood smoke has also been linked to increased hospital admissions, asthma and other respiratory diseases, and premature death.
Wood smoke can affect everyone’s health. Children, pregnant women, seniors and those with asthma, allergies, heart problems or lung conditions are most sensitive to smoke and its health effects. Those who work, play sports or exercise outdoors are also at risk.
The best way to reduce exposure to wood smoke is to avoid burning wood! If you do not burn wood now—do not start! If you do burn wood, consider switching to a natural gas fireplace, which has much lower emissions than the most efficient woodstoves.
No. However, more regulated approaches to wood burning are emerging. As these activities unfold, there are many things that you can do to take action and help reduce air pollution from wood heating. See “What can I do?” Please check with your local municipality for bylaws relating to outdoor open burning.
Before you decide to burn wood, it is important that you consider all available heating options.
If you have the opportunity to choose the heat source for your home, it’s important to examine environmental impacts as well as pros and cons of all the ways you can heat your home:
The best way to protect the health of your family and neighbours from wood smoke is by not burning wood. If you still choose to burn wood, you can decrease wood smoke pollution by improving your wood burning practices.
Learn more about Halton’s air quality program.