transport and firewood implicated

Fine particles, 30 times finer than a hair, can be responsible for the premature death of around 40,000 people in France each year, due to the respiratory and cardiovascular diseases they cause. Researchers from the CNRS, Inserm and Inrae have taken an interest in this pollution in the Grenoble region. According to their study published a few days ago in the journal Environment International, mortality linked to fine particles could be reduced by two thirds by 2030 by reducing private car traffic by 36% on the one hand, and on the other hand by replacing all inefficient wood-fired heaters with wood-burning stoves. modern pellets. Transport and wood heating are indeed the two sectors that emit the most fine particles in this agglomeration.

These measures recommended by researchers against fine particles assume that households are financially assisted. Precisely, these researchers show that this investment is profitable. To be effective, this policy should be accompanied by financial aid and the development of infrastructure: public transport, cycle paths, etc. But the social and health benefits associated with these measures would outweigh their costs, they say. Remember that at the national level, the cost associated with fine particle pollution is estimated at 100 billion euros per year.

With the rise in the price of gas, fuel oil and electricity, wood heating is becoming more and more attractive. Seven million French homes currently heat with wood, and to avoid fine particle emissions in the outside air, the Environment and Energy Management Agency (Ademe) provides some advice on its website. . First, when you can avoid open fireplaces, it’s better: an open fireplace only allows 15% efficiency. In other words, 85% of the energy provided by combustion goes up in smoke. Log and pellet stoves allow a yield of more than 70%. Maintenance, sweeping, drafting are also important. Finally, quality wood that is very dry, without too much bark, and possibly certified by an NF quality label, makes it possible to heat more efficiently and with less smoke.