A recent scientific study focuses on the link between the type of heating used by women and lung cancer. The results are alarming. Explanations.
If the weather is still particularly mild this week, temperatures will soon drop. And some French people will then turn their heating back on. But how do you heat your home? There are several ways to heat yourself: with fuel oil, gas, a heat pump or traditional wood heating. If wood heating can have good press given its economical and natural aspect, this remains a polluting resource which emits large quantities of fine particles into the atmosphere.
Even worse, wood heating would increase the risk of lung cancer in women by 43%, according to a recent study. According to Public health France, 40,000 people die each year from fine particles. And wood heating is the leading emitter of fine particles in France. In the United States, researchers conducted a large study (Sister Study) to establish links between wood heating and the risk of lung cancer.
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Heating with wood increases the risk of lung cancer
Scientists have studied 50,000 women whose sisters had developed breast cancer. Participants were asked whether they used wood heating in their home and how often. The results of the study, published in the journal Environment International are quite alarming. In fact, scientists claim that the use of a wood stove or fireplace would increase 43% risk of lung cancer in women. The risk increases to 68% if the wood stove is used more than 30 days per year.
“Our study proves that even occasional indoor burning of wood in stoves and fireplaces may contribute to lung cancer in populations where indoor combustion of wood is not the predominant fuel source for cooking or heating inside the house”, said Suril Mehta, the lead author of the study. The scientist explains that smoke from wood heating contains toxic substances such as benzene, 1,3-butadiene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Passionate about women’s news, Agathe has been deciphering the latest trends for aufeminin since 2022. Her favorite areas? Psychology, nutrition and well-being advice, without forgetting the tips…