Banning solid fuels like wood and log burners in UK homes could save 1,500 lives a year and £54M in NHS funding, a new report claims this week. Environmental consultancy firm Ricardo has called for more regulation around the use of solid fuel burners in homes, which it says is linked to heart problems, lung disease, stroke, cancer, and more.
It also found that thousands of cases of diabetes and asthma are linked to domestic burning each year, affecting people’s quality of life and causing a strain on NHS resources. Commissioned by Global Action Plan and Hertfordshire County Council, the report looked at the health impacts of domestic burning across the UK.
It found that domestic burning is one of the largest sources of fine particulate matter air pollution in the UK. Domestic combustion also contributes to an average of 3,741 new cases of diabetes and 1,493 new cases of asthma each year. These health issues not only have serious implications for a person’s quality of life but also put strain on NHS resources, Ricardo says.
To investigate, the study estimated the impacts of fully enforcing existing Smoke Control Area legislation compared to behavioural change of removing all ‘non-essential’ domestic burning of solid fuels.
It found that stopping all non-essential domestic burning was estimated to save up to £54 million in healthcare costs each year and prevent £164 million in wider productivity costs to the UK economy annually, providing benefits almost five times greater than could be achieved using existing Smoking Control Area legislation alone.
Speaking on the report, Guy Hitchcock, Air Quality Technical Director, said: “Domestic burning releases fine pollution particles that can be absorbed through the lungs and bloodstream, leading to or exacerbating health issues including asthma, lung cancer, diabetes, and stroke – among others.
“This directly affects individuals in houses where burning takes place, but also neighbours and communities. From an economic perspective, these health issues cost the NHS millions every year and take up significant resource. Not only would reducing domestic burning improve public health, but it would reduce economic losses from time off work.”
Larissa Lockwood, Director of Policy & Campaigns at Global Action Plan – the charity behind Clean Air Night – said: “We all need to stay warm this winter, and we also need to think about the health impacts of our heating choices. An open fire or wood burning stove is the most polluting way to heat a home – air pollution from wood burning stoves is cutting lives short, putting people in hospital, and contributing to serious health conditions for people across the UK.
“It’s an uncomfortable fact, but the health burden of wood burning on the British public is simply too big to ignore. Existing measures to curb wood burning emissions are not tackling the burning problem at hand.
“The UK Government must take action to ensure everyone can access cleaner, greener and more affordable heating – including ensuring homes are properly insulated – as well as strengthening powers to allow local authorities to tackle air pollution, and providing clear guidance for the public on the health harms of burning wood and other solid fuels in our homes.”
Calvin May, Head of Technical Services at HETAS, a non-profit organisation which represents the interests of solid fuel manufacturers, hit back at the calls for a ban. He said: “The Ricardo report recommendation, to reduce the use of solid fuel burners, is not realistic, practical advice.
“We need workable solutions, not blanket bans.
“With local authorities themselves noting low levels of public awareness, the priority must be education, awareness, and better implementation of existing rules… Government have said they do not intend to ban domestic burning, so we must strive to continue improving.
“It is vital that we consider the practical implications behind any attempts to continue improving the UK’s air quality.”
