Wood Burners 'Down Under'

In rural locations of India, wood smoke causes much ill health and many early deaths. Women and children are especially affected. This is because wood is the major fuel for heating and cooking in their homes, which are often poorly ventilated. Women and children, of course, spend more of their time in domestic settings than do mature males, who generally leave to work. In the UK, Domestic Wood Burners have recently surged in popularity. This is especially so, in relatively 'well-heeled' areas. The smoke produced, is breathed in by both people in houses with these devices and folk living in the immediate vicinity. Concerns about the impact of Domestic Wood Burning stoves on respiratory health have, consequently, been raised here. There's now, also confirmation that Domestic Wood Burners produce widespread particulate pollution in parts of Australia (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/jan/26/domestic-wood-burners-having-a-deadly-impact-in-outside-areas). In Canberra, Domestic Wood Burners are frequently used in their winter. A study found that 25% of that city's winter particulate pollution, emanated from these devices. In deed, it concluded that deaths from everyday exposure to Wood Burners in Canberra, was comparable to the fatalities caused by the 'black summer' bushfires of 2019/20. People, around the world, have to be educated about the dangers of breathing in wood smoke.