Woodsmoke pollution linked to rise in GP visits for respiratory infections

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2022-06-10 11:15

New Zealand

PHOTO: Annie Spratt/Unsplash

Researchers looked at a mid-sized town in Otago over the course of five winters to see what impact woodsmoke pollution might have on locals’ health. Data from GP visits showed that the risk of an acute respiratory infection increased when there was more woodsmoke pollution, with women, girls, and Māori being the most affected. The standard outdoor air quality limit in the town was also exceeded several times each year. The team say we need to move away from burning wood in old, highly-polluting devices to warm our houses, but we can’t immediately do so until homes are better at retaining heat in the first place.

Media release

From: New Zealand Medical Association (NZMA)

This study investigated whether Winter woodsmoke pollution at levels encountered in a mid-size Otago town was associated with GP visits for acute respiratory infection during May through August 2014–2018. An analysis of 812 GP visits found that acute respiratory infection risk increased with increasing woodsmoke pollution, accounting for air temperature effects. Further, areas with a higher density of woodburners per hectare had higher rates of GP visits for acute respiratory infections. Woodsmoke pollution can be reduced by residents burning only dry wood and keeping their fire hot (not smouldering).

Journal/
conference: New Zealand Medical Journal

Organisation/s: Southern District Health Board

Funder: n/a

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