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Woodsmoke

Air quality in Tasmania
Health risks from woodsmoke
Passive woodsmoke
Tips for cleaner woodheating
Further information

Air quality in Tasmania

During winter, parts of Tasmania have some of the dirtiest air in Australia. This is a fact which none of us should be proud of. However as individuals we can do something about it. One of the main contributors to air pollution in urban Tasmania is scientifically proven to be woodsmoke (Source: 'State of the Air' Community Summary', 1991–2001, Department of the Environment and Heritage).

Apart from the stench, visual impact and low visibility caused by this smoke, it is also a threat to the health of many Tasmanians.

Health risks from woodsmoke

The major evidence of health risk comes from overseas studies, in the United States and in New Zealand, of valleys similar to the Tamar Valley. Measurements that have been done on the particle levels have shown clear evidence that it causes flare-ups of asthma, increased admissions to hospital for lung disease and increased risk of dying of a lung disorder.

When people suffering from asthma breathe in smoky air, it chokes them up. They feel short of breath and cough, they may get wheezy or feel tight in the chest. For many people that might just be a nuisance, but those with more serious asthma may need to be admitted to hospital for treatment. Sadly, for some who have a very severe respiratory condition, the woodsmoke can tip the balance and they can die from the extra burden of exposure to woodsmoke. (Source: Dr Jim Markos, Chairman of the Tasmanian Branch of the Australian Lung Foundation.)

Passive woodsmoke

The dangers of passive smoking from cigarettes are well documented. Unfortunately it is a similar case with woodsmoke. If a neighbour has a woodheater that is operated badly then the effects are immediately obvious. You can see it, you can smell it, and it will often taint the washing you have left out to dry. However, even more disturbing is that whether you have a woodheater or not, you are still exposed to chemicals (called BTEX) associated with woodsmoke. This is a preliminary finding of research carried out by the CSIRO in 2003.

The research seems to indicate that while indoor levels of BTEX are generally higher than outdoor levels, there is no significant difference between houses with or without woodheaters. Exposure levels appear to be universal throughout the community and are higher in winter than in summer. Dr Jim Markos says:

"If you're a non-woodburner, you can't avoid woodsmoke if you live in affected areas. As an individual you are powerless to do anything except move to another area. I do tell people with lung disease to do the 'great winter escape' if they can afford it."

Tips for cleaner woodheating

The message is clear. If we are to reduce air pollution from woodheaters we must look toward cleaner heating methods.

This is how many professionals rank heating, in terms of which causes the least air pollution:

electric heating (particularly in Tasmania where our electricity is generated from renewable resources)
gas
pellet heating
woodheating (used correctly)
open fires.

Further information

For more information visit the Launceston Air Quality website.

You can also view Aurora's Air Quality in Tasmania information on this website. Or alternatively you can phone the Aurora Customer Service Centre on 1300 13 2003 or contact us via our customer feedback form.