The report was published in the Medical Journal of Australia last week, and author Dr Robinson from the University of New England likened the pollution to second-hand smoke from cigarettes.

"These particles in the wood smoke are so small they behave like gases and enter our homes even when all doors and windows are shut," Dr Robinson told AAP.

"If the air pollution is high outside, it will also be high inside, maybe half an hour or an hour later."

The research was conducted to estimate the annual burden of mortality and the associated health costs of air pollution from wood heaters in Armidale.

The study data was collected from air pollution monitors and a station installed in the region by the state government in 2018.

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The AHHA claims the 'politician from Armidale' released the findings to serve the Greens' political cause.

"'Australia has the toughest standards in the world when it comes to its wood heaters; it's important that Australians aren't misled with scare tactics," Ashley Stride, the deputy chair of AHHA, said.

"Millions of hard-working Australians rely on wood to heat their homes."

The AHHA is the peak industry body, representing over 250 manufacturers, retailers, installers, maintenance companies, and firewood suppliers within the home heating industry.

Mr Stride said the NSW Environment minister had reinforced wood heating as one of the most cost-effective for families and environmentally friendly fuels.

NSW Environment minister Matt Kean told the ABC in June that the government recognised the potential adverse health impacts, but they were a cost-efficient form of heating for many, particularly in rural areas.

"The government is committed to improving its evidence on wood smoke impacts on local communities," he said at the time.

"It will continue to work closely with local councils and stakeholders to manage these impacts and ensure that any future wood smoke reduction programs are cost-effective and meet the needs of local communities."

Mr Stride said his industry had provided suggestions to both federal and state governments 'on multiple occasions'.

"They included buyback schemes to remove old units that aren't up to the current emission standards - proposals that would actually make a difference to our environment," he said.

"But they are yet to be supported.

"We encourage all Australians and politicians to do their research when it comes to wood heating - one of the most cost-efficient and greenhouse-friendly heating options."

Dr Robinson said wood heating manufacturers downplayed the health effects of these devices like coal lobby groups did for emissions.

The debate around wood heating in Armidale has been ongoing for many years.

In 2016 through an open letter to Council, New England Building Recyclers' Martin Chaseling accused councillors Margaret O'Connor and Peter O'Donohue of 'promoting their respective party political dogmas [over] realistic, alternative policies'.

At the time, Cr O'Connor, as chairwoman of the Environmental Sustainability Committee, wanted wood heaters phased out from Armidale homes before being banned by 2030.

Cr O'Donohue supported her. Their push came after monitoring found wood smoke above the safe limit in 28 percent of days monitored in 2015.

In November 2017, Armidale Regional Council rescinded a motion to allow it to remove wood fire heaters from houses after they were sold.

At an ordinary council meeting in April 2018, Dr Robinson asked questions about the council's failure to meet National Air Quality Standards and having the highest child mortality rate in NSW, in response to a council report on risk management which caused outrage in parts of the community.

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