In Tasmania, particle matter is a major air pollutant associated with impacts on the health of the community. Smoke generated from burning activities such as domestic wood heating often produces elevated concentrations of fine particles in the atmosphere. These particles adversely affect the health of many Tasmanians living in urban and regional population centres.
How wood smoke affects you depends on your health and age, as well as your exposure to smoke. The Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services provides more information on the potential
health impacts of wood smoke exposure. The Department also provides
public health alerts for air quality in communities around Tasmania utilising real time data.
A study published in 2013 by Dr Fay Johnston of the Menzies Research Institute found that smoke pollution increases the death rate in the community. For more information, view this paper:
Evaluation of interventions to reduce air pollution from biomass smoke on mortality in Launceston: retrospective analysis of daily mortality 1994-2007.
EPA Tasmania has implemented three programs regarding smoke arising from domestic woodheaters: