Health and environmental groups have warned that Wales may fall behind England in tackling harmful air pollution from domestic burning, as pressure grows on the Welsh Government to adopt stronger targets for fine particulate matter.
To coincide with Clean Air Night (22nd January), the coalition Healthy Air Cymru is urging ministers to bring forward more ambitious limits on PM2.5, arguing that Wales should align its timeline with England by meeting tougher standards earlier than currently proposed.
In November, the Welsh Government launched a consultation proposing a national PM2.5 limit of 10 µg/m³ by 2035. Healthy Air Cymru says this timeline does not go far enough and is calling for the target to be reached by 2030, in line with England.
Public concern about the issue appears to be rising. Polling commissioned by Asthma + Lung UK Cymru shows growing unease about the health and environmental effects of wood-burning stoves. Three years ago, just over a third of respondents said they were worried about increased stove use. That figure has now risen to nearly two-thirds.
The survey of 1,000 people in Wales also found that almost 70% were concerned about their family’s respiratory health, while around 66% expressed worries about the impact of burning solid fuels in their local area.
Campaigners point to research suggesting that burning a single fireplace load of wood for one hour can release thousands of times more cancer-causing particles than smoking dozens of cigarettes. They warn that these emissions can significantly degrade local air quality and worsen conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Joseph Carter, Chair of Healthy Air Cymru and Head of Asthma + Lung UK Cymru said: ‘The idea of glowing embers in a wood burner in your home might sound appealing, but the reality is, it could be putting you, your family and community’s lung health at risk.
‘Burning solid fuels like wood, generates air pollution both inside and outside homes, particularly PM2.5, which is one of the most harmful pollutants to human health. Lungs can be irritated by the fumes from wood burners forcing some people with lung conditions to stay inside or risk worsening their symptoms.
‘Although we are thankfully seeing an increased awareness in Wales of the health dangers posed by wood burning, many people are still unaware, and we want that to change.
‘That’s why, ahead of Clean Air Night, we are urging the Welsh Government to bring in stricter air pollution legislation to help protect the health of our communities and for people, especially with lung conditions, to engage in the public consultation to ensure their voices are heard.’
Haf Elgar, Vice Chair of Healthy Air Cymru and Director of Friend of the Earth Cymru, said: ‘For the sake of our health and the environment, we must drastically reduce the amount of tiny particles circulating in our air – from burning wood and other sources. That’s why we’re calling for Welsh ministers to be more ambitious when setting our air pollution targets. This would save many lives, especially those who suffer from respiratory and lung conditions.
Josephine, who has asthma, is retired and lives in North Wales said: ‘I am glad to see that the dangers of wood burning are becoming more of a concern for people in Wales.
‘I worked abroad for a number of years where domestic wood burning was seen as normal. At the time, the health risks were not widely recognised. Smoke from our neighbours, who used wood stoves daily, made me very poorly. As someone with asthma, it caused me to have a tight, painful chest.
‘I have lived in Wales for many years now and avoid all smoke. I can immediately ‘taste’ smoke in the air, whether it comes from bonfires or chimneys in the village. If there’s lots of smoke, it really affects me. The soreness and wheezing can last for days, and my asthma medication offers only limited relief. I now have to be constantly cautious, which is tiring and frustrating. There are many people and places I sadly cannot visit. Trying to ignore the smoke simply doesn’t work, at least not for me.
‘The health damage from wood smoke is serious and should be treated as such.’
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