Experts have issued a wood burner warning as Brits are at risk of “long-term damage”. Researchers from the University of Surrey say that as temperatures fall this December and energy bills stay high, more households are turning to the stoves to keep living rooms warm and cosy. However, new research suggests that even modern “eco” or “clean” models can “fill lounges with bursts of fine particles at levels similar to traffic pollution and, at times, cigarette smoke”.
The University of Surrey’s Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE) monitored several homes in Guildford that used a range of wood-burning stoves and clean solid fuels, including seasoned and kiln-dried logs, wood briquettes and smokeless coal. Academics then measured levels of ultrafine particles, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), black carbon and carbon monoxide in living rooms and found that wood burning of all types led to “short bursts of very high pollution indoors”.
Open fireplaces were found to be the worst offenders, driving PM2.5 exposure up to seven times higher than that of modern stoves.
But even newer eco-design models produced “sharp spikes of toxic particles” whenever they were lit, refuelled or left to go out.
These tiny particles can travel deep into the lungs and into the bloodstream, where they are linked to strokes, heart disease, lung cancer and diabetes, experts say.
Professor Prashant Kumar, co-director of the Institute for Sustainability, said: “With rising energy prices, many households will be turning to solid fuel heating when the colder months hit, often assuming that modern stoves offer a cleaner, safer alternative.
“However, our findings show that this shift comes at the cost of indoor air quality, with potentially serious health implications, considering people spend up to 90% of their time indoors.
“Public health advice, ventilation guidance, and building design standards must adapt to keep pace with these changing heating habits.”
Abidemi Kuye, PhD researcher at the GCARE, said: “Even in homes using ‘cleaner’ stoves and fuels, we saw pollutant levels rise well beyond safe limits – especially when ventilation was poor, or stoves were used for long periods.
“Many people simply don’t realise how much indoor air quality can deteriorate during routine stove use.
“This research shows the need for greater awareness and simple behavioural changes that can reduce exposure.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
