Wood burning in Greater Nottingham (Nov 2023)

Wood burning stoves and fires are a major and growing cause of death and illness in Greater Nottingham. This is revealed in a report, Time To Log Off, by campaigning group Clean Air Nottingham.

This exhaustive report details the dangers of modern stoves. They can release 150 times more tiny particles than a modern HGV lorry, can emit ten times more deadly particles in real life than under test conditions and triple air pollution inside the home.

"Wood fires may look so comforting and warming yet they are the fastest growing source of deadly particle pollution known as PM2.5. These fine particles are linked to some 29,000 deaths each year in the UK. They are breathed deep into the lungs, enter the bloodstream allowing exposure to virtually all cells in our bodies," says Roger Critchley, report author. "Harmful particles from wood burning increased by 124% between 2011 and 2021. More than 500 new stoves are sold each day and wood burning now causes almost double the fine particle pollution from traffic.

"Our report shows how present smoke control laws are useless in tackling this problem. What we have here is woodgate, another national scandal similar to dieselgate. People are told they are making green choices but the real health effects are hidden from them. They have been deceived and let down by the Government."

The report shows how in Nottingham city alone there are some 140 premature deaths each year from these fine particles; many more people becoming slightly or severely ill. In the surrounding boroughs of Broxtowe, Erewash, Gedling and Rushcliffe they are linked to 60 to 70 premature deaths each year. Wood burning is a major and growing contributor.

Clean Air Nottingham is calling for urgent action. Government, local authorities and public health bodies are all asked to mount awareness campaigns dealing with wood burning health risks. Local authorities are called on to investigate and initiate a burn ban for certain days of the year, and to set up a monitoring system pinpointing local pollution hot spots.

The Government is called on to follow the advice of its Climate Change Committee and:

• set a date to stop home installation of wood burning stoves from 2025;
• ban use from 2027 of installed wood burners (with exceptions);
• prioritise the passing of the Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill;
• give local authorities power and resources to monitor and reduce air pollution in their areas.

Clear Air Nottingham has sent their report to all five local Councils.