open fires and wood-burning stoves face crackdown in new air pollution plans

Burning wood seems cozy,but it’s very polluting (Picture: Getty)

Father Christmas might have to find another way of dropping off our presents soon,as open fires and wood-burning stoves are set to face pollution restrictions.

The government released its latest plans for the environment yesterday,setting targets to reduce PM2.5 emissions in concentration and exposure.

By 2030,they want to reduce people’s exposure by 30% compared to 2018,according to the new Environmental Improvement Plan.

Unfortunately,while open fires can be so comforting that there are whole YouTube channels dedicated to pretending you have one on your TV,they are also extremely bad for the air.

A study last year in the West Midlands found that burning wood at home was more polluting than road traffic.

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The government now plans to launch a consultation on how to tighten the rules for fires and woodburners across the country.

It will help them meet a more ambitious annual average clean air target of 10ug/m3 by 2030 as opposed to ten years later in 2040,which is had been previously.

This brings the UK into line with the EU,which already had the earlier target.

What are PM2.5,or Particulate Matter 2.5?

These microscopic specks of invisible toxic dust are released when wood and coal is burned,and are tiny enough to go deep into your lungs and bloodstream.

They are linked to health problems including cancer,stroke,heart and lung disease,diabetes and dementia.

According to official figures,a fifth of PM2.5 emissions in 2023 came from domestic combustion.

'Less children are going to die'

Rosamund Kissi-Debrah,whose nine-year-old daughter died from an asthma attack linked to air pollution in 2013,welcomed the new PM2.5 goal,as a ‘win’.Ms Kissi-Debrah has been campaigning for ‘Ella’s Law’,which would require the Government to achieve clean air throughout England by January 1 2030,bring the country in line with World Health Organisation air pollution guidelines.She said: ‘It’s not quite Ella’s Law yet,but it’s a step in the right direction.‘Anything that’s going to improve the air,and that means less children are going to be hospitalised and less children are going to die,I am always going to be for it.’

What could new proposals change?

While people who have already bought stoves would not have to brick them up,stoves that use ‘solid fuel’ could be phased out or amended to ensure they meet the new standards.Pollution limits could also be tightened in smoke control areas of the country,where there are already restrictions on what fuels can be burned at home in fireplaces or stoves.Ministers said the consultation will seek to minimise the impact of any changes on those who need to burn wood and to respect traditional celebratory festivals such as Bonfire Night and Diwali.The new plans to reduce pollution (Picture: Metro)Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: ‘Our environment faces real challenges,with pollution in our waterways,air quality that’s too low in many areas,and treasured species in decline.‘Our ambitious targets are backed by real action to cut harmful air pollutants,revive habitats and protect the environment for generations to come.’