Experts are raising serious concerns over the growing popularity of wood-burning stoves, following alarming new research which reveals that these stoves are producing more pollution than road traffic.
Researchers from the University of Birmingham have found that wood-burning activities contribute significantly to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels in Birmingham and the surrounding West Midlands. In fact, biomass burning now accounts for 25% of the total PM2.5 mass, according to the study’s findings.
These findings have prompted calls for immediate action to address the rising pollution levels caused by wood-burning stoves.
Previous studies have shown that exposure to elevated levels of PM2.5 can increase the risk of various health conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, low birthweight, and even higher mortality rates.
Professor Zongbo Shi, one of the authors of the study, said, “We need to see immediate and coordinated actions at local and national levels to reduce wood burning, improve air quality, and enhance the enforcement of smoke control areas to curb emissions from wood-burning stoves and open fires. This has great potential to reduce PM2.5-related health risks and decrease mortality in the region.”
What makes PM2.5 so dangerous?
PM2.5 refers to tiny airborne particles or droplets that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter. These fine particles can be inhaled into the lungs, leading to serious health concerns.
They come from various sources, including wood burning, vehicle emissions, industrial activity, power plants, cooking, and smoking.
According to the study, wood-burning-related PM2.5 concentrations are now seven times higher than those observed between 2008 and 2010.
The team also discovered that the impact of wood burning is particularly pronounced in winter months when people use wood burners to heat their homes.
During this time, wood burning contributed up to half of the PM2.5 concentrations in the region.
“Our study highlights the significant increase in wood-burning activity over the past decade, making it one of the most important sources of air pollution in the West Midlands,” explained Dr Deepcahndra Srivastava, the lead author of the study.
‘We need urgent action from the central government’
The team is also calling for stronger local regulations to promote cleaner heating alternatives, such as electric heating or heat pumps, which have a significantly lower environmental impact.
Larissa Lockwood, Director of Clean Air at Global Action Plan, stressed the severity of the issue, saying, “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 both our health and the planet.”
The growing pollution from wood-burning stoves has raised concerns among experts and health professionals alike, with many calling for urgent government action.
“While efforts are being made to communicate these harms through initiatives like Clean Air Night, we need urgent action from the central government to raise awareness across the UK and empower local authorities to tackle this growing source of air pollution,” Lockwood added.