ArticleJournal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology2026
Back to the future: trace lead in ambient air from wood fuel combustion.
Article in Journal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundDeciding to classify wood as a renewable resource for residential space heating is a contentious issue because it balances a relatively inexpensive fuel, against the public health risks of wood smoke exposure.
objectiveTo investigate wood fuel emissions as a source of trace lead exposure via ambient air in the northern regions of the United States (US).
methodsFederal Reference Methods filters (n = 182) were obtained from the state of Vermont's Department of Environmental Conservation from Rutland (n = 97) and New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services from Keene (n = 85). Filter samples were collected during the winters of 2011-2016 and analyzed by Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence. Chemical speciation data was compiled from 22 national sites via the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments and EPA Chemical Speciation Network (CSN), which were compared to the concentrations of wood smoke emissions observed across northeastern US.
resultsOur evidence indicates a link between wood burning emissions with increased concentrations in particle-bound lead that is associated with wood combustion. Linear regression models in Keene, NH (R SIGNIFICANCE: Wood burning, an activity common in many rural parts of the US, is a likely anthropogenic source of lead introduced into ambient air throughout the northern portion of the US in the winters of 2011-2016. These ambient lead exposures are likely to have long-term adverse public health impacts. IMPACT: While wood burning promises potential climate benefits in reducing fossil fuels usage, it also poses significant risks related to air pollution and human exposure to toxic substances like lead. These findings suggest that more thorough and better monitoring of biomass burning emissions are necessary to ensure that the transition to wood fuel does not inadvertently cause harm to public health. Hypothesized lead pathway from leaded fuel to wood fuel emissions. Created in BioRender. Henegan, P. (2026) https://BioRender.com/cyi2k2m . Link text: Access lead pathway graphical abstract.
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