Asthma + Lung UK Cymru are calling on the Welsh Government to address the issue of domestic wood burning in the country, after finding that many people are not aware that it poses a health risk.
The charity recently commissioned research which found that while 65% of people were worried about their family’s respiratory health, only 47.2% were worried about the use of wood burning stoves.
Picture supplied by long-time correspondent Josephine Cock from Gwynedd
In response to this research Asthma + Lung UK Cymru have published a report titled ‘Domestic Wood Burning in Wales’ which explains the problem and makes a series of policy recommendations, outlining how the Government could tackle the problem.
Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma + Lung UK Cymru said: ‘It is worrying that although people are concerned about their lung health and air pollution, less than half of people questioned in our survey were not aware of the dangers of wood burning stoves. We have launched this report to highlight that Wales there is limited public awareness that burning solid fuels is bad for your health.’
Across the whole of the UK, 8% of homes burn solid fuel but in Wales this figure is 12%. However, only 1% of homes do so as a primary source of heating, a figure that rises to 4% in rural areas.
Recommendations in the report include:
- An awareness campaign
- A ban on the sale of coal and wet wood
- A ban on wood burning stobvesin new homes
- A scrappage scheme for old and inefficient wood burners
- MOT-style checks on existing wood burners
- Monitoring of air quality at community level, identifying hotspots
- Use data from the above to issue health alerts
- Set PM2.5 targets for local authorities
- Show more ambition in the implementation of Healthy Air, Healthy Wales
- Implement Smoke Control Areas for all except rural communities
Joseph Carter added: ‘Although tackling domestic burning was one of the priorities the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscape) Act 2024, a year later and the Welsh Government has done little to restrict the use of stoves or the dirtiest fuels. Their draft Smoke Control Guidance does not require or encourage councils to introduce smoke control areas, whilst there are no immediate plans to ban ‘house’ coal as England have done since 2023 (3).
‘The idea of a cosy wood burner in our homes might sound appealing, but the reality is it could be putting you, your family and neighbours’ 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.
‘Many people incorrectly think burning wood is a greener and cheaper alternative to coal or gas and are unaware of the dangers it can cause to their lungs. Lungs can be irritated by the fumes from wood burners forcing some people with lung conditions to stay inside or risk worsening their symptoms.
‘That’s why we are urging the Welsh Government to educate the public about the health risks of air pollution, with a particular focus on the harmful effects of domestic woodburning.’
Asthma + Lung UK Cymru make their point with testimony from Judy, who lives in North Wales:
‘My non-allergic asthma, triggered by traffic fumes, was formally diagnosed in the late 1990s. My breathing became far worse when I worked abroad for a number of years, largely due to traditional winter wood smoke. At the time, the health risks of domestic wood burning were not widely recognised. Our neighbours’ daily smoke made me very poorly. I had a tight, painful chest every morning.
‘If your lungs are sensitive, and you inhale wood smoke regularly, it’s worse than second-hand cigarette smoke —and recovery is difficult, if not impossible. Now I live in Wales and avoid all smoke. I have never smoked cigarettes, and I can immediately ‘taste’ smoke in the air, whether it comes from bonfires or chimneys in the village.
‘If the smoke is strong, I suffer. The soreness, wheezing, and congestion 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. Wood smoke damage is serious.’
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