Advertisement

Widespread support for Clean Air Night

Charities, politicians and the medical profession have stepped forward today  in their support of Clean Air Night. Here are some of the comments that have come our way:

Professor Andrew Elder, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, said: ‘The evidence is increasingly clear that the seeds of dementia can be sown much earlier in life and as such that prevention, including in relation to air quality, and attention to brain health over the life course are of huge importance.

‘The rising prevalence of cognitive impairment and dementia presents a growing challenge for our health and social care services, as well as so many individuals and their families. This recent Lancet report should again spur the government to ensure both that air quality and emissions targets currently enshrined in legislation are actually enforced and met and that more ambitious targets based on WHO guidance are implemented. This has the potential to reduce the number of people developing dementia and to slow down the rate at which cognitive impairment worsens and must therefore be considered a priority.’

Professor Jill Belch, Co-chair of the College’s working group on air pollution, said: ‘Air pollution of course doesn’t only affect adults, but has significant, and often permanent harmful effects on children’s health.

‘For the sake of Scotland’s health, we actively support this call for a Clean Air Night to raise awareness of the negative health impacts of wood burning. We further call for more help for those in Scotland off grid, or where outages are frequent, so that they too can chose not to burn wood.

‘In addition we continue to urge the Scottish Government to adopt the 2021 World Health Organisation air quality guidelines and targets and ensure woodburning policy adheres to these international standards.”


Larissa Lockwood, Director of Clean Air at Global Action Plan, the organisers of Clean Air Night said: ‘In the past many people have associated the glow of a fire with comfort, but cosiness shouldn’t cost your health. We now know that wood burning is a major source of toxic fine particle air pollution in our towns and cities, causing life threatening illnesses. We want to share this information with as many people as possible so that everyone can make informed decisions about how to heat their homes this winter and beyond. Learn the facts about wood burning this Clean Air Night and share them to help protect your family, friends and local community.’


London’s Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy Mete Coban MBE said: ‘Most people are unaware of the health harms associated with wood burning. That’s why initiatives like Clean Air Night are so important – to raise awareness among Londoners and empower them to make informed choices for their health and the environment.’


Cllr Raj Visram, St Albans Council’s Lead for Climate, said: ‘Wood burning seems like a natural source of heat and people do like the idea of sitting around a roaring fire.

‘However, we want to make our residents aware that wood burning has become the largest source of small particle air pollution in Britain.

‘Smoke is a significant health hazard, damages the general environment and is a more expensive way of heating your home than conventional means.

‘Those people who do rely on wood for their heating should only use approved wood or other ready-to-burn materials. They should also ensure their appliance is regularly serviced and eco-design accredited.’


Chloe Owen, Clean Air Policy Manager, Asthma + Lung UK, said: ‘There is a shockingly low level of public awareness on the health harms associated with wood burning stoves – and this Clean Air Night is all about sounding the alarm, so people are much better informed about those impacts.

‘Wood burning stoves pose a serious risk to public health – creating tiny particles of pollution that can increase your chances of lung disease, heart attack, stroke and cognitive decline. Wherever you are in the UK, the air we breathe is increasingly blighted by the harmful effects of wood smoke. In London, the picture is particularly bleak with recent stats showing up to 70 per cent of the soot/black carbon in the capital’s air coming from wood burning.

‘A high-profile government public awareness campaign on the harmful toxins produced by wood burning stoves will help people make better choices for themselves and their communities. We hope this Clean Air Night, the government commits to taking action on this serious public health issue which impacts so many of us – including the millions currently living with a lung condition.’


Rachel Pidgeon, Portfolio Manager of the Health effects of air pollution programme at Impact on Urban Health, said: ‘Wood burning stoves are a growing source of air pollution in urban areas like London, and that has severe consequences for people’s health. But most people who burn in urban areas do so for aesthetic reasons and have alternative ways for heating their homes.

‘That’s why campaigns like Clean Air Night are so important. Increasing awareness of the links between wood burning, air pollution and lasting damaging effects on health, is an essential part of reducing pollution from domestic burning and supporting a transition to other energy sources for those who need it.’


Dr Naomi Adelson, GP at Somerford Grove Practice in London, commented: ‘As a GP, I am concerned about PM2.5 pollution because of the multiple health impacts, including asthma and other respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases and the implications for young children and pregnant women. Air pollution is often invisible so patients may not be aware that their health conditions are being made worse or more prevalent because of PM2.5, therefore raising awareness and influencing policy makers is really important.’

Paul Day
Paul is the editor of Public Sector News.
Help us break the news – share your information, opinion or analysis
Back to top