Are Wood Stoves Bad for Your Health? What Montanans Should Know
Post Date: Mar 01, 2025
The first nip of fall in the air, the smell of wood smoke as snow falls: wood stoves are a staple of many Montana homes and a source of core winter memories. But are wood stoves bad for your health? You don’t want to let this tradition—and in some cases, essential heat source—impact your well-being. Here’s what you need to consider when heating your home with a wood-burning stove.
Are Wood Stoves Bad for Your Health?
Wood stoves emit chemicals that are generally bad for your health, especially if you already have heart or lung issues. But for most people, wood stoves are safe to use occasionally in your home with the right precautions.
The biggest health risks come from fine particles released into the air during burning, and some people are more susceptible than others to the health problems they cause. They can trigger asthma attacks, strokes, and irregular heart rhythms, especially in at-risk individuals like:
People who are already prone to these conditions
Young children
Older adults
People with pre-existing respiratory conditions
If you’re worried about the impacts your wood stove may have on your health, reach out to a CHP clinic in Bozeman, Belgrade, or Livingston to talk with a provider about any health conditions you have or symptoms you’re dealing with.
At-risk individuals should be more aware of the potential health problems associated with wood stoves, but anyone who uses a wood stove for heating should be alert to the smell of smoke indoors. If you do smell smoke inside while your stove is lit, you’re inhaling those fine particles, and it’s a sign that something is wrong with your stove that must be addressed for safety.
What Does Wood Burning Release into the Air?
When wood burns, it releases fine particles, also known as fine particulate matter or PM2.5. These microscopic particles can cause complications like:
A runny nose
Burning eyes
Bronchitis
Burning also generates chemicals like:
When you smell smoke, you’re breathing in those fine particles. However, some gases, like carbon monoxide, are odorless. And carbon monoxide poisoning can be deadly. But if you’re wondering if wood stoves are bad for your health, there are ways to minimize the pollutants released into your home.
How to Heat Your Home Safely With a Wood Stove
If you’re worried that your wood stove might be bad for your health, here’s how to minimize the negative health impacts in your home:
Get a stove that’s professionally installed and EPA certified. New, certified stoves burn hotter and cleaner, heating your home with less impact on your health and the environment. They also help your wallet by burning more efficiently, saving you money on wood in the long run.
Burn only dry, aged hardwood or pellets. These burn hotter and cleaner than other materials, meaning your home stays heated better and fewer particles are released during burning.
Have a professional clean and inspect your unit as part of your annual routine. If you smell smoke inside your house, that’s a sign something is wrong, and you’re inhaling fine particles. Be sure to have the stove serviced immediately before you continue using it.
Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home. Just like smoke detectors, they can save lives.
Wood Burning Stoves vs. Gas Fireplaces
The American Lung Association recommends natural gas as a good alternative to wood, so this may be an option to consider if you or someone in your household is particularly sensitive to wood burning.
But like wood stoves, gas stoves emit nitrogen dioxide, which irritates your respiratory system. Gas stoves should be vented to the outside to keep irritants and pollutants out of your home, just like wood-burning stoves.
If you have questions about the potential impacts of wood smoke on your health, the providers at Community Health Partners can help. Contact your nearest CHP clinic today to get connected with one of our health care providers.
