Overseas studies have clearly demonstrated significant associations
between wood smoke and various adverse respiratory health
impacts. There has been little research examining the effects of wood
smoke exposure and respiratory health in Australian cities such as
Launceston, where the use of closed combustion appliances is
common. This study examined associations between ambient wood
smoke concentrations and the prevalence of respiratory symptoms in
Launceston and Hobart, two relatively similar cities that have a similar
prevalence of wood heating and therefore similar indoor exposures,
but clearly different air quality outdoors.