Dioxins emissions in firewood stoves can be extreme

Studies have shown that Dioxin emissions from firewood stoves can be extremely high, a pollutant which is toxic and cannot be broken down.

Using wet wood or ‘garbage wood’ has shown to increase emission of Dioxins, hence a reduction of wet wood and / or garbage wood should reduce the emission levels.

Using older stoves has also been linked to increased Dioxin emissions, due to older stoves not burning the wood as efficiently and cleanly as newer stoves.

Several other factors influences the Dioxin emissions, such as:

• Stove type and quality
• Kindling method, i.e. how the fire was started
• Chimney quality and environment: wet vs dry
• Wood type.