HIGHLIGHTING DANGER OF WOODBURNERS

[GlassHouseBlue]

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) -
essentially tiny particles of soot - is one
of the most dangerous air pollutants.
Breathing it in is linked to lung cancer,
heart damage, strokes, impaired cognition
and mental health problems, and can
exacerbate conditions such as asthma,
COPD and pulmonary fibrosis. Children
and elderly people are most vulnerable

See attached leaflet from Mums for Lungs charity

This isn't a balanced view though as they're are a lot of things that can be done to reduce the impact of a log burner. Also, one needs to compare with the environmental impact of burning fossil fuels instead of renewable logs (assuming sustainably sourced logs).

It isn't a straight forward thing.

Tell it to the government then. Maybe they can give me a grant to improve insulation on my home.

I can't stand shouty demands.
I have a pile of wood and I will be burning it as does every other house here during the winter.

It comes down to have we gone soft or what?

Luckily if the wood burner is set up and used properly, there is little to no smoke smell indoors.
Plus look how lovely and cosy.

Indoors perhaps but what about outdoors and the affect on the local community.

Why isn't this a balanced view. I imagine the people who burn wood also idle their cars. Air pollution is real and WOODBURNERS add to that danger

I'll shout it from the rooftops if I have to!

There. Bloody spell check. Or spell non check.

You do that and increase your chance of lung cancer by 70%

Indoors perhaps but what about outdoors and the affect on the local community.

My nearest neighbour has a nice smelly coal fire lit by mid afternoon every day. Everyone else has a wood burner.

Fear mongering nonsense.

It's not a balanced view as it doesn't mention that wood has to be less than 20% moisture to be sold, and that all modern log burners have to be a certain standard, and that owners can ensure they are burning at the correct temperature, and that fitting flue liners improves air flow. All of which reduce the levels of particulates massively, and reduce the risk of harm to negligible levels. Certainly far less than turning on central heating and burning gas to heat a whole house when only one room needs heating.

So, please continue to shout away, but at least make it factual.

You can imagine what you like but I'm a real person with a wood burner and I've no car to idle.

Tell you what, you sell your car and you can pay my gas bill.

😂😂🤣👏🏻

Well aren't you a scaremongering prophet of doom.

Further evidence

www.which.co.uk/reviews/wood-burning-stoves/article/stoves-and-pollution-aIPXC8g7lbu5

Did you know that domestic wood burning in the UK produces more particulate matter than traffic?
And did you know that an Ecodesign wood burning stove is several hundred times more polluting than a gas boiler?
Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty’s 2022 air pollution reportt_ acknowledged the high amounts of air pollution domestic burning produces in the UK, and called for more action on air pollution both indoors and out.

www.mumsforlungs.org/news/updated-wood-burning-flyer

Oh dear I live in Northern Ireland and many many of us still have open fires and wouldn't have it any other way. I adore the smell of my neighbour's peat fire

The evidence is all there but there are those that will not listen. Fair enough but I warned of the dangers and the Mums for Lungs charity does great work for those who may want to campaign in their area

They're burning wood not car tyres. There are risks and harmful things absolutely everywhere.
Someone told me not to mow my lawn a couple of months ago because it's bad for the environment and everyone and every thing.
But my kids want to enjoy the garden without wading through knee high grass and weeds.
I will mow my grass and burn my wood. I do not idle my car.

Every house in my little village has a wood burner, we have no gas line and the electricity regularly goes out in the winter. We have oil fired heating, but boilers don't work without electricity. Our woodburner is essential for keeping warm, and often for cooking or having a cuppa when the electric is off for hours at a time.
Shout all you want, it's not a choice we have the luxury of making.

We have 2 log burners. I also idle my car but it's an electric one so doesn't count 😅.

I had an open fire, no issues whatsoever with any of our health

People need to keep warm somehow.

And for a balance:
https://www.woodlets.co.uk/are-wood-burning-stoves-bad-for-the-environment/#:~:text=Compared%20to%20fossil%20fuels%2C%20burning,neutral%20fuel%20when%20used%20correctly.

https://www.directstoves.com/our-blog/wood-burning-stoves-facts-vs-fiction/

I burn wood on my open fire because I can only afford to have my gas central heating on for two hours a day.
Lucky you if you don't need a cheap and readily available source of heat.