Symptoms of respiratory illness in young children and the use of wood-burning stoves for indoor heating

Journal Article · Fri Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Pediatrics; (United States)

OSTI ID:5551496

Honicky, R E; Osborne, J S; Akpom, C A

The occurrence of symptoms of respiratory illness among preschool children living in homes heated by wood-burning stoves was examined by conducting an historical prospective study (n . 62) with an internal control group (matched for age, sex, and town of residence). Exposures of subjects were not significantly different (P greater than .05) with respect to parental smoking, urea-formaldehyde foam insulation, and use of humidifiers. The control group made significantly greater use of gas stoves for cooking whereas the study group made greater use of electric stoves for cooking and of air filters (P less than .05). Only one home used a kerosene space heater. During the winter of 1982, moderate and severe symptoms in all categories were significantly greater for the study group compared with the control group (P less than .001). These differences could not be accounted for by medical histories (eg, allergies, asthma), demographic or socioeconomic characteristics, or by exposure to sources of indoor air pollution other than wood-burning stoves. Present findings suggest that indoor heating with wood-burning stoves may be a significant etiologic factor in the occurrence of symptoms of respiratory illness in young children.

• Research Organization: Michigan State Univ., East Lansing
• OSTI ID: 5551496
• Journal Information: Pediatrics; (United States), Journal Name: Pediatrics; (United States) Vol. 75:3; ISSN PEDIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AGE GROUPS
AIR POLLUTION
APPLIANCES
CHILDREN
DISEASES
ETIOLOGY
FURNACES
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HEATING
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
POLLUTION
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
SPACE HEATING
STOVES
SYMPTOMS
WOOD BURNING APPLIANCES
WOOD BURNING FURNACES