Wood smoke is increasing the risk of heart attack and premature death (Image Source: AI-Generated)
Lifestyle Desk, New Delhi. Who doesn't like to warm up by sitting near a bonfire or fireplace during cold winter nights? But do you know that what you consider to be a source of solace is actually proving to be a 'silent killer'?
A new study has revealed that burning wood in the house is not only spreading smoke, but it is also causing premature death of thousands of people. Come, let us know about this in detail in this article.
The biggest reason for pollution in winter
This study conducted by researchers at Northwestern University has found that about 22 percent of the PM2.5 pollution present in the air during winter comes only from burning wood in homes. This means it is the largest single source of fine particulate pollution during the colder months.
risk of heart diseases
Researchers found that smoke from burning wood increases the amount of fine particles in the air. This directly increases the risk of heart related diseases.
"We often hear about the bad effects of wildfire smoke, but we don't pay much attention to the consequences of burning wood for heat in our homes," says Daniel Horton, associate professor at Northwestern University.
Thousands of deaths occurring every year
The study's models showed that pollution from residential wood burning in the US is linked to about 8,600 premature deaths each year. This figure shows how serious this problem can be.
Impact on Cities and Suburbs The impact of burning wood is not limited to just the home where it is being burned. The researchers used a high-resolution model that included weather, wind, temperature and terrain texture.
The good thing is that a solution to this problem is also possible. According to Professor Horton, very few homes rely entirely on wood for heat. Therefore, if we replace wood burning stoves or fireplaces with clean appliances or non-burning sources for home heating, air quality can improve significantly.
Researchers have suggested that modern heating tools should be adopted in place of wood stoves, boilers and fireplaces. This small change can play a big role in reducing dangerous particles in the air.
Also read- Pollution is suffocating, eyes are burning; Keep your children safe from deadly pollution with these 4 tips
Also read- Air pollution is not just causing difficulty in breathing or eye irritation, it is also inviting cancer.
Chyawanprash is a part of every Indian's life, it reduces diseases and increases energy.