Shocking new research shows that wood burning stoves are the UK’s largest source of the most dangerous type of air pollution.
Particulate matter (PM2.5) is widely thought to be the air pollutant with the biggest impact on human health, which is found emanating from the common household item.
The trend of owning a wood burning stove is rising according to a report from the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS), which can bring serious risk to health.
PM2.5 increases the risk of respiratory and heart conditions, synonymous with the rising number of hospital admissions. It is reported that children growing up exposed to this pollution are more likely to have reduced lung function and higher risk of developing asthma.
The IFS noted in its report: “The three largest sources of primary PM2.5 in the UK are domestic burning of wood and other fuels (29% of total PM2.5 emissions in 2022), road transport (17.9% of total PM2.5 emissions in 2022), and industrial processes and product use (16.5% of total PM2.5 emissions in 2022) such as construction and steel manufacturing.
“The only source of PM2.5 emissions that has increased over the period is domestic combustion. Three-quarters of the domestic combustion emissions of PM2.5 came from woodburning in 2022.”
Despite a drop in the particulate emissions from road transport and steel industries, the pollution percentage is growing in homes due to the wood burning stoves.
Although there is a rise in PM2.5 from the popular home product, the report says that overall across the UK, levels have fallen to below the government’s 2040 target. However, it has not dipped below the limit set out by the World Health Organisation.
Between 2003 and 2023, average levels of PM2.5 in England fell by 54%.
Bobbie Upton, research economist at IFS and an author of the report, said: “There is growing evidence that fine particulate air pollution is extremely damaging for health, particularly for children and the elderly.
“It is hard to fully explain the striking drop in air pollution that started in 2020, during the COVID pandemic.
“New clean air zones in several of England’s largest cities and reduced steel production may have both played a role.
“It is important for the nation’s health, and for reducing health inequalities, that progress continues to be made on reducing air pollution.”
