Wood Burning Stoves and Human Health

Partnerships for Environmental Public Health (PEPH)

Wood Burning Stoves and Human Health

March 17, 2017

Expert: Curtis Noonan, Ph.D.

In many parts of the country, and indeed around the world, wood is used as fuel to heat homes, particularly during colder winter months. Wood combustion releases particulates and other air contaminants that can hurt your health. This can be particularly important for children’s respiratory health, and the health of other susceptible groups such as the elderly. In this podcast, hear how researchers at the University of Montana are working in their communities to understand exposure to indoor air pollutants and the negative health impacts it causes, and to identify promising interventions to protect human health.

Expert

Curtis Noonan, Ph.D., is a Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Montana’s College of Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences. He received a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, an M.A. from George Washington University, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Health with a specialization in Epidemiology from Colorado State University. Dr. Noonan previously worked as an epidemiologist for the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. His laboratory at the University of Montana focuses on inhalation exposure to environmental toxins and human health effects.

For More Information

Ward TJ, Semmens EO, Weiler E, Harrar S, Noonan CW. 2017. Efficacy of interventions targeting household air pollution from residential wood stoves. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 27(1):64-71. PMID: 26555475 

Semmens EO, Noonan CW, Allen RW, Weiler EC, Ward TJ. Indoor particulate matter in rural, wood stove heated homes. Environ. Res. 2015; 138:93-100. PMID: 25701812

Sigsgaard T, Forsberg Bertil, Annesi-Maesano I, Blomberg A, Bølling A, Boman C, Bønløkke J, Brauer M, Bruce N, Héroux Marie-Eve, Hirvonen M, Kelly F, Künzli N, Lundbäck B, Moshammer H, Noonan C, Pagels J, Sallsten G, Sculier J, Brunekreef B. Health impacts of anthropogenic biomass burning in the developed world. European Respiratory Journal 2015; 46(6):1577-88. PMID: 26405285

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