Wood burning is reintroducing lead pollution into the air, US scientists find
Study of samples from seven winters suggests neurotoxic metal coming from wood itself rather than old paint
TL;DR
- Wood heating is reintroducing lead into the air, according to a University of Massachusetts Amherst study.
- Analysis of particle pollution samples revealed associations between wood burning particles (potassium) and lead.
- The lead is believed to come from trees absorbing it from the soil and storing it in their tissues.
- Combustion temperatures are high enough for lead to become part of the smoke.
- While lead concentrations are less than US legal limits, any exposure to lead is considered harmful.
- Wood fuel use has negative consequences on air quality and public health.