Wood heaters and air filtration trial

The aim of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of air filtration in reducing indoor air pollution and asthma deterioration in Australian homes.

Wood heaters generate numerous pollutants, including particulate air pollution (i.e., PM2.5) which is a significant risk to health. Exposure to wood heater smoke is associated with numerous respiratory health endpoints, including increased asthma severity, symptoms and medication use, as well as decreased pulmonary function.

Portable air cleaners with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are a promising way for reducing smoke pollution in homes throughout the year. However, their ability to improve related quality of life in people with asthma has not been tested in Australia.

This study will help us understand if portable air cleaners improve residential indoor air quality during smoke episodes. It can help support guidelines and policy advice to improve the health and wellbeing of communities impacted by wood smoke.

Funded by: NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

UC project team: Sotiris Vardoulakis, Nigel Goodman

External team members: Christine Cowie, Penny Jones, Geoff Morgan, Bandana Saini, Helen Reddel, Nina Lazarevic, Christopher Roulston, Dylan Lynton, Guy Marks, Fay Johnston, Ruby Kan, Alethea Morison, Abigail Rath, Belinda Garnham, Amanda Wheeler

Borchers-Arriagada N, Vander Hoorn S, Cope M, Morgan G, Hanigan I, Williamson G, Johnston FH. The mortality burden attributable to wood heater smoke particulate matter (PM2.5) in Australia. Sci Total Environ. 2024 Apr 15;921:171069. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171069. 

Vardoulakis S., Johnston F.H., Goodman N., Morgan G.G., Robinson D., 2024. Wood heater smoke and mortality in the Australian Capital Territory: a rapid health impact assessment. Medical Journal of Australia. doi:10.5694/mja2.52176

15 January 2024 - ABC, Wood heater smoke estimated to kill up to 63 in ACT each year, prompting calls for national ban

26 January 2024 - The Guardian, Domestic wood burners having a deadly impact in outside areas

18 March 2024: MJA Podcast, The deadly impact of wood heater smoke, with Professor Sotiris Vardoulakis