Children and Wood Smoke

Children are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of wood smoke. This is because their respiratory systems are still developing.

Children breathe more air, and thus more air pollution, per pound of body weight than adults. They also spend more time outdoors.

Wood smoke interferes with normal lung development in infants and children and increases the risk of lower respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

Not only are children exposed to wood smoke more likely to develop asthma, but the symptoms of children who already have asthma become worse when they’re exposed to wood smoke.

So the next time you’re thinking about lighting your fireplace or wood stove, please consider that your actions will be harming the health of every child that lives nearby.