Tackling air pollution is a priority for this Government. Clean air is one of the most basic requirements of a healthy environment for us all to live, work, and bring up families.
The use of open fires and wood-burning stoves has risen in popularity over recent years. This increase means that we are seeing more emissions of fine particulate matter from biomass burning and a subsequent increase in air pollution. Domestic wood and coal burning are now the single largest contributors to our harmful PM emissions comprising almost 40% in 2015. This compares to emissions from industrial combustion (17%) and road transport (13%). The tiny particles in smoke can cause a range of health impacts such as breathing problems and exacerbating asthma as well as contributing to other health conditions.
Information guide entitled “We all breathe the same air” which is available for consumers. This has been produced by chimney sweeps and provides clear advice on the procedures to follow when lighting a stove to minimise smoke emissions.
Local Authorities have been working with Hetas and wood suppliers to raise the awareness of the benefits of properly dried wood which has significantly less emissions than wet wood. They are launching a Ready to Burn certification scheme, please see link.