A new report by Ricardo has found that prohibiting solid fuels like wood and log burners in UK homes could prevent 1,500 deaths annually and save £54m in NHS funds, linking domestic burning to heart conditions, lung disease, strokes and cancer
Log burners and wood burners are linked to a range of awful health problems(Image: Getty)
A recent report suggests that banning the use of solid fuels like wood and log burners in UK homes could prevent 1,500 deaths each year and save an impressive £54m in NHS funds.
Environmental consultancy firm Ricardo has called for tighter regulations on the use of solid fuel burners in homes, including wood burners and log fireplaces, linking them to heart conditions, lung disease, strokes, cancer, and more.
The study also found that thousands of diabetes and asthma cases each year are linked to domestic burning, impacting people’s quality of life and putting strain on NHS resources.
The report, commissioned by Global Action Plan and Hertfordshire County Council, investigated the health effects of domestic burning across the UK.
The findings revealed that domestic burning is one of the largest contributors to fine particulate matter air pollution in the UK, a type of indoor emission pollution associated with various health problems.
Domestic combustion also results in an average of 3,741 new diabetes cases and 1,493 new asthma cases annually. These health issues not only severely affect a person’s quality of life but also burden NHS resources, says Ricardo, reports the Express, reports the Mirror.
To delve deeper, the study estimated the impacts of fully implementing existing Smoke Control Area legislation, such as banning certain solid fuels or the use of chimneys to produce smoke, compared to behavioural change of eliminating all ‘non-essential’ domestic burning of solid fuels.
The research found that stopping all non-essential domestic burning could slash healthcare costs by up to £54million each year and avoid £164million in wider economic losses annually across the UK, delivering benefits almost five times greater than what existing Smoke Control Area legislation could achieve on its own.
Within 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.”
A Government spokesperson responded: “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.”
Calvin May, Head of Technical Services at HETAS, a non-profit organisation representing the interests of solid fuel manufacturers, countered the calls for a ban. He stated: “The Ricardo report recommendation, to reduce the use of solid fuel burners,is not realistic, practical advice. We need workable solutions, not blanket bans.
“With local authorities themselves noting low levels of public awareness, the priority must be education, awareness, and better implementation of existing rules. Government have said they do not intend to ban domestic burning, so we must strive to continue improving.
“It is vital that we consider the practical implications behind any attempts to continue improving the UK’s air quality.”