New research from the University of Helsinki has uncovered a disturbing link between fossil fuel price surges and deteriorating air quality. The study found that households switching to cheaper heating alternatives during periods of high energy prices can inadvertently introduce toxic pollutants into the atmosphere, posing serious health risks.
The researchers, led by Dr Giancarlo Ciarelli and Professor Federico Bianchi, focused on northern Italy, where a region-wide shift away from fossil gas consumption was observed in December 2022. Fossil gas prices had soared following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, prompting households to seek alternative heating sources.
Measurements revealed that benzo[a]pyrene levels – a highly toxic and carcinogenic compound found in wood smoke – increased by over 10% at 17 out of 63 locations across the Po Valley. This was attributed to an estimated 18% drop in fossil gas consumption, with only a third of this reduction due to warmer weather.
The study's findings, published in AGU Publications, suggest that large-scale adoption of cheaper fuels like wood during periods of high energy prices can escalate air pollution and put millions at risk. In fact, researchers estimated that if wood burning had increased by 30% across the region in December 2022, an additional two million people would have been exposed to particle pollution exceeding annual legal limits.
The team also simulated a scenario where deaths attributable to air pollution for that month rose from 280 to 314. This phenomenon is not unprecedented; during Greece's financial crisis in winter 2012-13, residents of Thessaloniki switched to wood heating due to high heating oil costs, leading to an estimated 200 additional deaths and various health issues.
Professor Bianchi warned that regions facing energy stress may experience similar air quality impacts. He stressed the need for policymakers to consider the long-term effects of short-term measures aimed at reducing energy prices, rather than simply addressing the symptoms of volatility in energy markets.