Experts have issued an urgent warning over trendy wood-burning stoves, as research reveals they produce more pollution than road traffic.
Researchers from the University of Birmingham found that wood-burning activities contribute ‘significantly’ to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels in Birmingham and the West Midlands.
In fact, biomass burning now accounts for 25 per cent of the total PM2.5 mass, according to the experts.
Worryingly, previous studies have shown that exposure to elevated PM2.5 levels can increase your risk of several nasty health conditions.
This includes respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, low birthweight, and increased death rates.
Based on the findings, the researchers are calling for ‘immediate’ action to reduce wood-burning.
Last week a report from the Institute of Fiscal Studies named wood-burning stoves as the UK’s biggest source of PM2.5.
Now, the experts at University of Birmingham say such emissions are increasing – and especially peak in the winter months.
Experts have issued an urgent warning over trendy wood-burning stoves, as research reveals they produce more pollution than road traffic (stock image)
Professor Zongbo Shi, one of the authors of the new study, said: ‘We need to see immediate and coordinated actions at local and national levels to reduce wood burning, improve air quality – including enhancement and enforcement of smoke control areas to curb emissions from woodburning stoves and open fires.
‘This has great potential to reduce PM2.5-related health risks and decrease mortality in the region.’
PM2.5 refers to tiny airborne particles or droplets that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter.
This type of pollution can come from a variety of sources including woodburning, vehicle and industrial emissions, power plants, cooking, cigarettes, and smoking.
It represents a ‘serious health concern’, according to the experts, because it can be inhaled into our lungs.
In their study, the researchers analysed the sources of PM2.5 in Birmingham and the West Midlands.
They then compared the results to those collected back in 2008-2010.
Their analysis revealed that woodburning-related PM2.5 concentrations are now seven times higher than those observed in 2008-2010.
Biomass burning now accounts for 25 per cent of the total PM2.5 mass, according to the experts
The team also found that the impact of woodburning is particularly pronounced in the winter.
As people use wood burners to heat their homes in these colder months, the researchers found that woodburing contributed up to around half of PM2.5 concentrations.
‘Our study highlights the significant increase in woodburning activity in the past 10 years, making it one of the most important sources of air pollution in the West Midlands,’ said Dr Deepcahndra Srivastava, lead author of the study.
The researchers recommend that authorities should raise public awareness about the health impacts of woodburning, and promoting ‘best practices’.
This includes burning only dry, seasoned wood, and maintaining ovens properly.
The team is also calling for local regulations to be strengthened to promote the use of cleaner alternatives, such as eletric heating or heat pumps.
Larissa Lockwood, Director of Clean Air at Global Action Plan, said: ‘Lighting fires in our homes is now the largest source of toxic fine particle air pollution in the UK, presenting a range of serious health risks including heart and lung disease, diabetes, and dementia.
‘Despite growing evidence of the UK’s burning problem – like this new research from the University of Birmingham – many people are still unaware that wood burning is harming our health and the planet.
‘While many work to communicate these harms through moments such as Clean Air Night, we need urgent action from central government to share these harms with people across the UK and empower local authorities to tackle this growing source of air pollution in ways that are appropriate for their local communities.’
