RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Health impacts of anthropogenic biomass burning in the developed world
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 1577
OP 1588
DO 10.1183/13993003.01865-2014
VO 46
IS 6
A1 Sigsgaard, Torben
A1 Forsberg, Bertil
A1 Annesi-Maesano, Isabella
A1 Blomberg, Anders
A1 Bølling, Anette
A1 Boman, Christoffer
A1 Bønløkke, Jakob
A1 Brauer, Michael
A1 Bruce, Nigel
A1 Héroux, Marie-Eve
A1 Hirvonen, Maija-Riitta
A1 Kelly, Frank
A1 Künzli, Nino
A1 Lundbäck, Bo
A1 Moshammer, Hanns
A1 Noonan, Curtis
A1 Pagels, Joachim
A1 Sallsten, Gerd
A1 Sculier, Jean-Paul
A1 Brunekreef, Bert
YR 2015
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/46/6/1577.abstract
AB Climate change policies have stimulated a shift towards renewable energy sources such as biomass. The economic crisis of 2008 has also increased the practice of household biomass burning as it is often cheaper than using oil, gas or electricity for heating. As a result, household biomass combustion is becoming an important source of air pollutants in the European Union.This position paper discusses the contribution of biomass combustion to pollution levels in Europe, and the emerging evidence on the adverse health effects of biomass combustion products.Epidemiological studies in the developed world have documented associations between indoor and outdoor exposure to biomass combustion products and a range of adverse health effects. A conservative estimate of the current contribution of biomass smoke to premature mortality in Europe amounts to at least 40 000 deaths per year.We conclude that emissions from current biomass combustion products negatively affect respiratory and, possibly, cardiovascular health in Europe. Biomass combustion emissions, in contrast to emissions from most other sources of air pollution, are increasing. More needs to be done to further document the health effects of biomass combustion in Europe, and to reduce emissions of harmful biomass combustion products to protect public health.Biomass combustion is an important source of air pollution and ill health in the EU: emissions need to reduce http://ow.ly/RYkPk