zemeunvalsts.lv note: The campaign against wood heating continues... Is wood heating truly so dangerous to human health? What would Nordic or Baltic scientists have to say about this?
New research suggests that emissions from wood-burning stoves in the UK could increase as the government has exempted certain types of stoves from regulations. The study, led by Dr James Heydon (James Heydon), an expert in environmental regulation at the University of Nottingham's School of Sociology and Social Policy, found that the number of wood-burning stove models officially exempted from UK smoke control regulations has increased tenfold since 2010. This is a particularly concerning fact, as wood burning releases pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is considered the air pollutant with the most negative impact on human health.
The study “Between Ordinary Harm and Deviation: Evaluating the UK's Regulatory Regime For Controlling Air Pollution From Wood Burning Stoves” is published in The British Journal of Criminology.
Why are wood stove emissions dangerous?
The results of the UK government study “Air Pollutant Emissions in the UK - Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5)” indicate that in 2020, domestic wood burning accounted for 25% of PM2.5 emissions.
PM2.5 emissions from domestic wood burning also increased by 35% between 2010 and 2020, making it the leading source of small particulate air pollution in the UK – even higher than road transport.
This significant increase in emissions from wood burning poses a serious threat to human health. For example, short-term and long-term exposure to PM2.5 particles can cause premature death from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Furthermore, children exposed to these emissions have an increased risk of developing lung function problems and asthma. This means that being close to a wood-burning stove can pose a significant risk to human health.
The Deregulation Act 2015 opened the doors to health-harming emissions.
The study analysed over 18,000 government data records regarding heating and cooking appliances that were exempt from smoke control regulations under the Deregulation Act 2015.
Researchers also interviewed air pollution control specialists from local authorities across the country, and the study results suggest that legislation “opened the door” to a range of wood stove models that are exempt from urban air pollution controls.
Dr James Heydon (James Heydon) explained: “UK government data shows that burning solid fuel at home is the largest source of PM2.5 pollution in the country. This research shows how the government has helped create this situation by facilitating the sale of a range of stoves that are exempt from regulatory control.”
The investigation revealed that the Deregulation Act 2015 allowed wood stove manufacturers to certify their appliances as “exempt” from smoke control area regulations. These changes were introduced to reduce business barriers in the sector and improve consumer choice. However, in this case, the impact on human health was overlooked.
Dr Heydon believes that the UK government must amend its decision to reduce harmful emissions and protect the public. He concluded: “The UK government needs to rethink its laissez-faire approach to exempting stoves from smoke control regulations. For nearly a decade, this policy has facilitated market expansion, thereby contributing to the nationwide air pollution problem that we are currently observing.”
“Given how many stoves are already exempt from smoke control, the government now needs to seriously consider regulating their sale, installation, and use in urban areas.”
What steps is the UK government taking to limit domestic emissions?
In January 2022, the UK government introduced EcoDesign standards for all new wood-burning stoves. EcoDesign legislation requires all future solid fuel equipment burning solid fuel in the European Union to meet minimum seasonal efficiency and maximum emission limits before they can be legally sold and installed on the EU market. Although the UK has recently left the European Union, it remains committed to following this legislation.
All new appliances will be tested for:
seasonal efficiency; particulate matter; organic gaseous compounds; carbon monoxide; and nitrogen dioxide.
While older stoves produced 3,700 times more toxic air pollution than gas central heating (!?), new Ecodesign wood stoves produce only 450 times more pollution, which is a significant improvement. However, given that many stoves do not fall under the umbrella of the Deregulation Act 2015, the government must do more to address the problems associated with these harmful emissions.