Improving the sustainability of domestic heating is a key challenge for the UK in meeting its Net Zero commitments, and we must urgently rethink our emissions from the appliances heating our homes.  My research explores the difficulties in controlling air pollution from wood burning stoves and what steps need to be taken to address it. 

Wood smoke contains fine particles. These come in different sizes, but my research focuses on PM2.5 particles, which are about one thirtieth the width of a human hair. Because they are so small, they can bypass the body’s defences to cause serious health effects. High exposure levels can cause breathing problems and aggravate health conditions like asthma, heart issues, or lung disease, leading to premature deaths.

Domestic emissions of all particulate sizes are increasing in the UK, but PM2.5 particles are a particular problem because they cannot be seen and are inconsistently monitored.

The growing popularity of stoves now makes them the largest source of fine particulate matter pollution across the country. From 2011 to 2021, overall particulate emissions from domestic wood burning increased significantly, with a 124% increase in PM2.5 particulates. This represented over 20% of all PM2.5 emissions in 2021.That’s more than the emissions from road transport.

The UK has one of the oldest systems for controlling these emissions in the world, having been in place since The Clean Air Act was introduced in 1956. So, the question is, why do we have this air pollution problem with such a well-established system for controlling it? 

My recent study is the first comprehensive look at the UK’s smoke control regulations. I analysed over 18,000 government records, 40 freedom of information requests, and expert interviews with local council environment officers from across the UK. I found that smoke control areas are essentially ‘unenforceable’ across much of the country.

Even worse, smoke control areas do not restrict the use of supposedly ‘smokeless’ stoves. These stoves produce over 350x the particulate matter of a gas-fired boiler – and are allowed to emit 740x the particulate matter of a heavy goods vehicle. And yet, since 2010, the UK Government has exempted 2,513 models of ‘smokeless’ stove from Smoke Control Area rules, a ten-fold increase, and their popularity continues to grow.  

So not only are the regulations failing to control smoke, they’re also normalising use of stoves and fuels that still produce lots of air pollution without control.

The government must now also regulate their sale, installation and use across urban areas. This must be done while supporting those experiencing fuel poverty, incentivising people to adopt cleaner methods of home heating on a much wider scale, and without penalising those who do not have alternative sources of heat.  

This approach will help to control the growing issue of wood smoke pollution over the short term, while encouraging a more fundamental shift to cleaner heating alternatives in the long-term. It will also make sure that regulations do not increase inequality or increase fuel poverty  and ensure a safer, healthier future in line with the country’s Net Zero commitments.