When I lived in Hull as a boy the city created a smoke free zone as a result of the Clean Air Act, itself a consequence of London smogs. All residential areas fell within the zone but they drew a line around the biggest industrial smoke generating industry so it fell outside the zone. Everyone had to go smokeless with one exception. Laughable.
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News & politics
Wood burning stoves on the way out? Possible on-the-spot £300 fines
(84 Posts)Politicians and campaigners have called for an urgent review of wood-burning stoves, which cause large amounts of pollution in urban areas.
The calls follow the admission by the environment secretary that the government had set weaker air pollution targets than it would like. The admission came as she announced a new environmental plan for England that held back from banning wood-burning stoves and settled instead for “educating” people on their use.
The Times subsequently reported that the government would encourage councils to use their powers to issue householders £300 on-the-spot fines for flouting air pollution rules by burning logs at home.
But the Green party co-leader Carla Denyer said the government should go further and potentially end the sale of log burners.
She said: “Local authorities have powers to create smoke control areas in cities under the Environment Act 2021. This goes some way to preventing homeowners and businesses releasing smoke from a chimney. However, there are exemptions for particular stoves and fuels which still mean dangerous particulates can be released into the atmosphere.
“We need an urgent review into the impacts of smoke from chimneys on public health in high-density housing areas, with a view to putting an end to future sales of log burners and fuels if they are shown to have an unacceptable detrimental impact.”
The environment charity ClientEarth, which has won pollution cases against the government, has said the burners need to be phased out. Andrea Lee, from the charity, said: “Pollution from wood-burning is a growing source of fine particulate matter pollution in some areas, which is a serious threat to people’s health.”
The Liberal Democrats have called for more powers for local councils to stop the use of polluting burners. A spokesperson said they were disappointed that it had taken so long for the ban on house coal and wet wood to come through.
“The new eco-design has reduced air pollution from wood burners but more needs to be done including encouraging households to replace older wood burners with the new design. We believe local authorities should have more powers to tackle air pollution in their areas,” the spokesperson said.
Under the 2021 Environment Act, councils have powers to issue on-the-spot civil penalties of up to £300. The government’s plans to encourage councils to take action mean that criminal prosecutions could be pursued for the most persistent offenders, resulting in a fine of up to £5,000 plus a further £2,500 for each day a breach continues afterwards.
However, English councils have issued only 17 fines over six years, despite more than 18,000 complaints, as it is difficult and expensive to prove guilt and then take people to court. Few councils have the resources to vigorously pursue this specific issue.
There will also be tighter regulation of new wood burners, which in designated “smoke control areas” will be allowed to produce no more than 3g of smoke per hour, instead of 5g at present.
Sarah MacFadyen, the head of Policy at Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation, said: “We know that burning wood and coal releases fine particulate matter – the most worrying form of air pollution for human health – which can cause people with a lung condition such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to have a potentially life-threatening attack or flare-up.
“It’s therefore important to consider less polluting fuel options to heat your home or cook with, especially if coal or wood is not your primary fuel source.”
www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/feb/02/calls-grow-for-urgent-review-of-damage-done-by-wood-burning-stoves
I read a news article yesterday with a link to a list of approved materials for burning.
Even so I’m a bit inclear.
Is it ok to burn commercially bought dry wood in my wood burner? We only use it in the evening on on very cold days .
We have a CD somewhere on the bookshelf of a crackling log fire, occasional sparks an’ all. It’s very realistic! It used to be nice to put it on during the winter. Strangely, it gave a very cosy feel to the room. I should find itagain!
I really don’t know about ethanol fired heaters - we have oil (which is reasonable in cost to operate I believe) and an occasional open fire.
We have a women nearby selling rejuvenated French ‘ stoves’. Running in ethanol. She says they produce heat. Do they? Are they healthier?
I have an all night burner which I use only when there is a powercut. A wood burner would have meant having major structural work.
When we replaced our old oil burner we looked at having an heat pump, but apart from being incredibly expensive, we were advised that they are not yet really efficient.
Yet barbecues are allowed? Surely no one actually needs a barbecue? Or patio heaters, come to that.
VioletSky
There are alternatives for people who like the asthetic appearance.
It's been deemed they are polluting and being used irresponsibly so they should be phased out. Start taxing households using them and they will soon be removed.
Some areas will either need to be provided better alternate heating sources first or get some sort of license
I'd rather have a future for my grandchildren than a pretty fireplace
For some of us, it's a vital source of heat for our homes - nothing whatsoever to do with looking 'pretty'!
Do you mean those electric and gas ones with a false flame!
Wow, NOT an ecological alternative! Not effective NOR pretty either.
Blondiescot
You need to read past my first sentence
Todays Times reported that Scientists from Hull ( university I presume) have found microplastics in human veins. They pass through the blood to vascular tissue. The health implications are uncertain, but can’t be good.
Tumble driers emit micro plastic fibres into the air. A single household can send up to 120 million micro fibres into the air per year.
Source: Science Explores 11/2/22
I’d like to see tumble driers banned as their pollution is far more reaching and the particles non biodegradable.
Burning wood and smokeless fuel in a stove heats homes and cooks food. Clothes can dry naturally in air.
VioletSky
Blondiescot
You need to read past my first sentence
I assure you I did. My point stands.
DaisyAnne
Also, I wonder why we want to stop things before we have found and implemented a replacement?
Electricity is a "replacement "
OK, but I made your point first then
VioletSky
OK, but I made your point first then
Sorry
To blondiescot
Gas is also bad for our health. 15% of childhood asthma is apparently due to gas cooking.
It will also be phased out.
J52 Ban tumble dryers? How do you suggest households in flats with no outside space dry clothers?
On the radiators, where the moisture in the flat can encourage mould to grow, which for children with respiratory complaibts it can cause chronic ill health and even kill them?
They could be limited, not in flats, I agree. But people who have the space and a garden, or outhouse- could do what we do. Use the dryer once in a blue moon, when drying naturally is not possible.
I was wondering about commercial biomass boilers too. Our local NT property installed one a few years ago, and some days it smells so smoky walking in the grounds. It’s a popular place with a large footfall. They were considered to be a contribution towards reduction of global warming a few years ago.
Our woodburner was fitted about 8 years ago. It’s been used more this winter than before. I’m restricting the central heating, I have Reynauds and other auto immune conditions so need to be warm. The fire is cheap to run between say 5 and 9, it’s toasty warm and strangely pleasant to watch. I dry washing overnight, so no use of drier, no washing over radiators
Yes, our woodburner is very modern and stone clad, so works like a storage heater. We have used it a lot more this year to save on oil which was eye-wateringly expensive. Good quality dried beech and ash, very clean. Heats kitchen and lounge, and when it gets too hot, open door so some heat goes upstairs as all radiators are switched off upstairs.
And like you, I put the clothes horse out overnight near the stove- so I do washing when electricity not in demand, and dries as it serves of humidifier at same time. No problem!
I light one everyday, two at the weekend, and three if it snows.
We burn seasoned wood, two of the stoves are reasonably new, and the chimneys are swept regularly.
I am prepared to make any changes I have to, but I would be devastated not to be able to have a fire.
J52
Just popped over to MN where there’s a similar thread. Interestingly a couple of MNers with wood burning stoves have tested their own air quality. One found that the gas hob gave off a higher CO reading than the wood burner, another that a Jo Malone redd diffuser did and another a Febreeze sprayed chair!
About 30 years ago we were having supper at a friends house. When we arrived I was fine. To go to the loo I had to walk through the kitchen where there was a gas cooker. By the time I got upstairs I was gasping for breath. There were also candles on the table. We had to leave early because my asthma had come on quickly and badly. I later learned that gas stoves do give off fumes. Most people won't notice them.
When we got home my DH called the doctor. Because of a previous emergency which involve my doctor sending me to hospital in an ambulance I had a nebuliser which I used. By the time the doctor arrived I was getting better and feeling guilty for calling home out.
We don't use sprays or scented candles in our house and my DH cleans the bathrooms. If you are a severe asthmatic many things can cause breathing difficulties. Most people won't be aware of the odours. It's been known for some time that the chemicals used in our homes and other buildings can cause attacks.
Sara1954
I light one everyday, two at the weekend, and three if it snows.
We burn seasoned wood, two of the stoves are reasonably new, and the chimneys are swept regularly.
I am prepared to make any changes I have to, but I would be devastated not to be able to have a fire.
Sara1954 I am prepared to make any changes I have to, but I would be devastated not to be able to have a fire.
Agreed. We light both fireplaces most every chilly day. Chimneys are swept and inspected on schedule..
I just love a real fire too - but I'd support a ban on new log burners (along with gas hobs) as it's obvious that things need to change - and urgently. 17 fines in 6 years is just pathetic. Is there any point in laws that simply can't be enforced?
Tell this to people who have spent thousands of pounds buying them and having them fitted.
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