Log burning warning for log burner owners

People may notice a difference in the air around this time of year and even smell smoke from the use of fires and stoves.  The issues around log burning and burning the wrong type of fuel are not just confined to Darlington – it’s across the country – especially as people are struggling to pay high energy bills and are tempted to try out alternative forms of fuel. There is now a national campaign which can be seen here:

https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/library/burnbetter/

We had already launched our campaign, but the messages are similar – “Learn before you burn and burn right”.

It’s a complex range of messages as it involves working out if you live in a smoke control area and then what type of fuel your particular appliance should be burning. We put together a myth busting fact sheet on our web pages at:

https://www.darlington.gov.uk/media/19708/clearing-the-air-in-smoke-control-zones-2.pdf

In addition, we’re targeting retailers to make people think about the fuel they are buying and whether it’s suitable.

The main pollutant emitted by burning solid fuels, like wood, is ultra-fine particulate matter (also known as PM2.5), which not only affects outdoor air quality but also contributes to poorer indoor air quality, with emissions having increased dramatically over the last 10 years.

Domestic burning is the single biggest source of PM2.5 air pollution in the UK, producing even more pollution than road traffic. Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) recognises this with the National Air Quality Strategy 2023 including ambitious new targets for particulate matter (PM2.5) to drive air quality improvements.

Research shows that children growing up exposed to PM2.5 are more likely to have reduced lung function and can develop asthma. Current evidence suggests there is no safe level of PM2.5.