Review: Woodsmoke and emerging issues

Wood is a type of biomass commonly burnt as a means of energy. When burnt, it releases harmful components linked to adverse health outcomes. In the scientific community toxicologists and epidemiologists continue to consider the individual components of woodsmoke — such as particulate matter and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons — as a way to better understand the relationship between inhaled woodsmoke and acute and chronic disease. In recent years, research focus has shifted toward the underlying mechanisms that could be associated with long-term health consequences. Alongside this research, novel studies in molecular toxicology that examine the impacts of woodsmoke could provide a link between woodsmoke and telomere length. Such studies could provide scientists with a better understanding on how woodsmoke leads to chronic diseases. As researchers from various disciplines come together to work on this complex and widespread issue, hope emerges to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with this global air pollutant.