Urgent warning about trendy wood-burning stoves as research shows they cause more pollution than road traffic

Experts have issued an urgent warning against trendy wood-burning stoves as research shows they cause more pollution than road traffic.

Researchers from the University of Birmingham found that wood burning activities contribute ‘significantly’ to particulate matter (PM2.5) levels in Birmingham and the West Midlands.

According to the experts, biomass combustion is now responsible for 25 percent of the total PM2.5 mass.

Worryingly, previous studies have shown that exposure to elevated PM2.5 levels can increase the risk of several unpleasant health problems.

This includes respiratory and cardiovascular disease, low birth weight and higher mortality 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 biggest source of PM2.5 in Britain.

Now experts at the University of Birmingham say such emissions are increasing – and peaking particularly in the winter months.

Professor Zongbo Shi, one of the authors of the new study, said: ‘We need to see immediate and coordinated action at local and national levels to reduce wood burning and improve air quality – including improving and enforcing smoke control areas to reduce emissions wood stoves and fireplaces.

‘This has great potential to reduce PM2.5-related health risks and reduce mortality in the region.’

PM2.5 refers to small particles or droplets in the air with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less.

This type of pollution can come from a variety of sources, including wood burning, vehicle and industrial emissions, power stations, cooking, cigarettes and smoking.

It represents a ‘serious health risk’, according to experts, because it can be inhaled into our lungs.

In their study, the researchers analyzed the sources of PM2.5 in Birmingham and the West Midlands.

They then compared the results with those from 2008-2010.

Their analysis found that wood burning-related PM2.5 concentrations are now seven times higher than those observed in 2008-2010.

According to the experts, biomass combustion is now responsible for 25 percent of the total PM2.5 mass

The team also found that the impact of wood burning is especially pronounced in winter.

Because people use wood stoves to heat their homes in these colder months, the researchers found that wood burning was responsible for about half of PM2.5 concentrations.

‘Our research highlights the significant increase in wood burning activity over the past decade, making it one of the leading sources of air pollution in the West Midlands,’ said Dr Deepcahndra Srivastava, lead author of the study.

The researchers recommend that authorities should increase public awareness about the health effects of wood burning and promote best practices.

This includes burning only dry, seasoned wood and properly maintaining ovens.

The team also calls for strengthening local regulations to promote the use of cleaner alternatives, such as electric heating or heat pumps.

Larissa Lockwood, Clean Air Director at Global Action Plan, said: ‘Lighting fires in our homes is now the biggest source of toxic particulate air pollution in Britain, causing a range of serious health risks including heart and lung disease, diabetes , and dementia.

‘Despite growing evidence of the burning problem in Britain – such as this new research from the University of Birmingham – many people are still unaware that wood burning is damaging our health and the planet.

‘While many are working to communicate this harm through moments like Clean Air Night, we need urgent action from central government to share this harm with people across the UK and to enable local authorities to tackle this growing source of air pollution in ways that are appropriate for their local communities.’