Wood-burning stoves produce 150 times more tiny particle pollution than a modern HGV truck, a new report by campaigning group Clean Air Nottingham (CAN) claims.
There are some 60 to 70 premature deaths from these fine particles boroughs in Broxtowe, Erewash, Gedling and Rushcliffe, with wood burning blamed as ‘a major and growing contributor’. In Nottingham city 140 premature deaths reported each year.
CAN’s Time To Log Off report, published today, also warns that wood stoves can triple air pollution inside the home.
Report author Roger Critchley is now calling on local councils across Notts to take urgent action and raise awareness around the health dangers of wood burning in the home.
He said: “Wood fires may look so comforting and warming yet they are the fastest growing source of deadly particle pollution known as PM2.5. These fine particles are linked to some 29,000 deaths each year in the UK. They are breathed deep into the lungs and then enter the bloodstream allowing exposure to virtually all cells in our bodies.
“Harmful particles from wood burning increased by 124% between 2011 and 2021. More than 500 new stoves are sold each day and wood burning now causes almost double the fine particle pollution from traffic.
“Our report shows how present smoke control laws are useless in tackling this problem. What we have here is ‘Woodgate’, another national scandal similar to ‘Dieselgate‘. People are told they are making green choices but the real health effects are hidden from them.
“They have been deceived and let down by the Government.”
Clean Air Nottingham now wants local authorities are called on to investigate and initiate a burn ban for certain days of the year, and to set up a monitoring system pinpointing local pollution hot spots.
The group has also called on the Government is called to follow the advice of its Climate Change Committee and set a date to stop home installation of wood burning stoves from 2025; ban used from 2027 of installed wood burners, (with exceptions), to prioritise the passing of the Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill, and to give local authorities power and resources to monitor and reduce air pollution in their areas.
Clear Air Nottingham will today send their report to all five local Councils, including Gedling Borough Council, and request meetings.
How about minding your own business Roger Critchley & Clean Air Nottingham!! Stop telling us what to do all the time. You live your life & leave us alone.
Another load of bull crap,if a wood burner is cheaper to heat your home, cheaper than gas and electric good,if I could put one in my home I wood excuse the pun, clean air brigade just like the stop oil lot would have us living in caves, yo ho ho
It’s not cheaper though Dennis.
Honestly, have a look at Clean Air Night for a short summary of why this is a valid issue. No one suggests going back into caves, if anything fire burning for heat is a step back from progress we have made, but there’s plenty of money to be made from stoves etc. Only 8% of those with fires need them, the rest already have less polluting ways to heat there homes. It’s a myth it’s cheaper, unless you have access to free wood. Also look at Mums for Mungs, they have clear graphics on the lung damage from burning wood in the home as opposed to gas heating. All approved by public health bodies/experts.
Nonsense.
(But what do we expect from climate change lobbyists?)
In answer to the comments above- New evidence shows wood burning actually:
Harms your wallet: wood burning is almost always more expensive than other forms of heating.
Harms your health: lighting fires in our homes is the largest source of harmful small particulate matter air pollution in the UK.
Harms the planet: wood burning creates more harmful CO2 emissions compared to other forms of heating and we cannot reproduce trees fast enough to offset the CO2 emitted by burning wood.
Defra are aware, local authorities are aware.
Look up Clean Air Night- facts not myths and from people like Roger who care about the health of themselves, their families and other people. Simply trying to raise awareness, rather than those out to make money.