Wood burning stoves
Many people across the district use a wood burning stove to keep their homes warm. Recent research has identified that they are a large contributor to air pollution.
If you live in a smoke control area your burner should be an exempt appliance. This means the stove emissions have been tested and approved by DEFRA and it is exempt from most of the smoke control area restrictions.
If you do not have an exempt appliance and live in a smoke control area, you can only burn authorised fuel such as anthracite or manufactured solid smokeless fuels in your wood burner.
Pollution from wood burning stoves
PM2.5 is particulate matter or small particles that are 2.5 µm (microns) and smaller, for comparison the average human hair is 70 µm in diameter. They are of particular concern as they can be inhaled deep into the lungs and from there can migrate around the body.
Some reports state that wood burning accounts for up to 31% of PM2.5 in some urban areas (39% if you include coal).
While domestic burning and other emissions have reduced significantly since the 1950s, the evidence on the adverse health impacts from air pollution has also grown during that time, showing that even at today’s lower levels, significant harm can be caused. Since 2005, there has been an increase in the emissions from the domestic sector. DEFRA believe this is largely due to an increase in the popularity of open fires and wood burning stoves.
Impact on health
Inhalation of particulate pollution can have adverse health impacts, and there is understood to be no safe threshold below which no adverse effects would be anticipated.
The biggest impact of particulate air pollution on public health is understood to be from long-term exposure to PM2.5, which leads to high plaque deposits in arteries. This contributes to hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems. Exposure to high concentrations of particulate matter (for example, during short-term pollution episodes) can also exacerbate lung and heart conditions, significantly affecting quality of life, and increasing deaths and hospital admissions.
How you can help to reduce exposure to fine particulate matter
Operating your domestic wood burner correctly and ensuring that it is regularly maintained, including having the chimney swept at least annually, can make a huge difference to the efficiency of the burner. It will also save you money, improve performance and greatly reduce emissions.
DEFRA have produced a practical guide to open fires and wood burning stoves, containing guidance on how to get the best out of your burner and reduce emissions from it.
Look for the Woodsure Ready to Burn logo when you buy wood. This is a DEFRA administered scheme to give you confidence that the wood is dry enough to burn with minimum emissions.
The Burnright website, which has been set up by chimney sweeps, also provides helpful advice and includes YouTube videos with instructions on the best way to operate your burner.
DEFRAs guide to buying, storing and seasoning wood (PDF File, 336kb) is also a useful document.