Call for ban on log burners and wood burner fireplaces in homes

Banning solid fuels like wood and log burners in UK homes could save 1,500 lives a year and a staggering £54m in NHS funding, a report has claimed. Environmental consultancy firm Ricardo has called for more regulation around the use of solid fuel burners in homes, such as wood burners and log fireplaces, which it says is linked to heart problems, lung disease, strokes, cancer, and more.It also found that thousands of cases of diabetes and asthma are linked to domestic burning each year, affecting people's quality of life and causing a strain on NHS resources. Commissioned by Global Action Plan and Hertfordshire County Council, the report looked at the health impacts of domestic burning across the UK.Its report found that domestic burning is one of the largest sources of fine particulate matter air pollution in the UK, a type of indoor emission pollution linked to a range of health issues.Domestic combustion also contributes to an average of 3,741 new cases of diabetes and 1,493 new cases of asthma each year. These health issues not only have serious implications for a person's quality of life but also put strain on NHS resources, Ricardo says.To investigate, the study estimated the impacts of fully enforcing existing Smoke Control Area legislation, such as banning the use of certain solid fuels or the use of chimneys to make smoke, compared to the behavioural change of removing all 'non-essential' domestic burning of solid fuels.It found that stopping all non-essential domestic burning was estimated to save up to £54million in healthcare costs each year and prevent £164million in wider productivity costs to the UK economy annually, providing benefits almost five times greater than could be achieved using existing Smoking Control Area legislation alone.Speaking in the report, Guy Hitchcock, air quality technical director, said: "Domestic burning releases fine pollution particles that can be absorbed through the lungs and bloodstream, leading to or exacerbating health issues including asthma, lung cancer, diabetes, and strokes - among others."This directly affects individuals in houses where burning takes place, but also neighbours and communities. From an economic perspective, these health issues cost the NHS millions every year and take up significant resource. Not only would reducing domestic burning improve public health, but it would reduce economic losses from time off work."Larissa Lockwood, director of policy and campaigns at Global Action Plan, said: "We all need to stay warm this winter, and we also need to think about the health impacts of our heating choices. An open fire or wood burning stove is the most polluting way to heat a home - air pollution from wood burning stoves is cutting lives short, putting people in hospital, and contributing to serious health conditions for people across the UK."It's an uncomfortable fact, but the health burden of wood burning on the British public is simply too big to ignore. Existing measures to curb wood burning emissions are not tackling the burning problem at hand."The UK Government must take action to ensure everyone can access cleaner, greener and more affordable heating - including ensuring homes are properly insulated - as well as strengthening powers to allow local authorities to tackle air pollution, and providing clear guidance for the public on the health harms of burning wood and other solid fuels in our homes."Since the report was published, the Government has said it will consult on measures to reduce the environmental impact of the public burning wood, such as stoves and bonfires, as it unveiled a consultation on its revised Environmental Improvement Plan.Ministers said the consultation will try to minimise the impact these changes have on those who need to burn wood and to respect traditional festivals such as Bonfire Night and Diwali. The Government has tightened the target to cut the concentrations of PM2.5 - a fine particulate pollutant linked to asthma, lung disease and heart conditions - by 30% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels.The Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) states: "The burning of solid fuels is a large contributor to national emissions of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and is a major source of air pollution, especially in urban areas. The World Health Organisation considers PM2.5 the most harmful pollutant to human health (air pollution is responsible for 6.7 million premature deaths every year, World Health Organisation (WHO) 2025)."These particles can enter the bloodstream and internal organs, and there is a growing body of evidence linking exposure with a range of debilitating health conditions including cardiovascular disease and asthma. We will consult on further measures to reduce emissions from domestic burning... Consult on new measures that cut emissions from domestic combustion, whilst minimising the impact on those that need to burn and respecting traditional celebratory festivals such as Bonfire Night and Diwali."A Government spokesperson said: "Air pollution is a serious public health issue. As set out in our NHS 10-Year Plan, we are committed to reducing emissions from domestic burning to protect public health and local communities."Since 2018, £575 million has been provided to support local authorities improve air quality and we are working alongside them to cut emissions so that everyone's exposure to air pollution is reduced."