The log burner debate has been smouldering for some time, as air pollution and quality is given increasing attention in the news. According to the Stove Industry Alliance (SIA), an estimated 200,000 log burners were installed in the UK in 2022. This represents a 66% increase in sales compared with the third quarter of 2021. The SIA supports DEFRA\u2019s Clean Air Strategy and wants to educate homeowners that the Government is not looking to ban them, but ensure consumers use the most efficient stoves and least polluting fuel.<\/p>\n
As concerns grow about the impact of log burners on air quality and health, a Guardian article<\/a> said: \u00a0\u2018..there has been a boom in homeowners installing log burners in recent years. Government figures\u00a0show<\/a>\u00a0toxic pollution from domestic combustion has almost doubled in the past decade, with the chief medical officer warning that even the most modern stoves\u00a0emit<\/a>\u00a0450 times more pollution than central heating.\u00a0Research<\/a>\u00a0has linked the small particles released when wood is burnt to miscarriages, low sperm count and stunted lungs in children. It can also cause chronic illnesses, cancer and strokes.\u2019<\/p>\n In September 2023, the BBC reported that households in England face fines of up to \u00a3300 and even criminal records if they flout new log burner rules. The new rules, which came into force in June 2023, reduce the amount of smoke that new stoves can emit per hour from 5g to 3g. They apply to homes in “smoke control areas” which cover most of England’s towns and cities.<\/p>\n The new rules were introduced in response to growing evidence of the harmful effects of wood smoke on air quality and health. Wood smoke is a major source of particulate matter (PM2.5), which is a mixture of tiny solid and liquid particles that can get into your lungs and bloodstream. PM2.5 has been linked to a range of health problems, including heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and asthma attacks.<\/p>\n