MORE than 100 Tory MPs have backed a think tank study that calls for health warning labels on wood-burning stoves.
The report comes amid calls from Asthma + Lung UK Scotland for tighter regulations of wood-burning stoves and for the Scottish Government to increase public awareness of the pollutants associated with domestic burning.
Heat from a wood-burning stove is mainly confined to one room and is often used in conjunction with, and not instead of, central heating.
Using a wood-burning stove, in combination with gas central heating. could save the average household £131 a year, according to previous analysis by Gemserv.
However, there is concern over the dangers of indoor air pollution the stoves produce and the impact on the environment and people’s health.
Recent regulations mean all stoves sold in the UK must incorporate Ecodesign which drastically cuts back on the release of unhealthy particulate matter (PM).
A centre-right think tank has suggested the inclusion of warning labels to curb the problem, and the Conservative Environment Network, a grouping of more than 100 green-minded Tories, backed their recommendations.
Bright Blue said the UK Government should introduce regulations to implement labels on new stoves to point out the “negative medical consequences of the outdoor air pollution” they produce, according to The Times.
The report, Delivering Cleaner Air in a Socially Just Way, also suggested that the Clean Air Act should be amended for a ban to be put in place on certain days.
On days that were forecasted to be "very polluted", the public would be alerted when burning was banned through announcements on social media via government websites.
However, the UK Government has said it is not considering a ban on stoves.
The Stove Industry Alliance (SIA) says an Ecodesign compliant wood burning stove produces up to 80% less particulate matter compared to an older, basic stove model and up to 90% less than an open fire.
Sales of wood burning stoves in the first two quarters of this year remain strong according to the latest figures from the SIA.
Total unit sales for the period 1st January to 30th June 2023 were over 86,300 and increased by almost 19% compared to the first half of 2022.
A Defra spokesman said: “There have been significant improvements in air quality at a national level since 2010, with emissions of fine particulate matter and nitrogen oxides down by 10 per cent and 45 per cent respectively.
“Our Environment Act made it easier for local authorities to act on pollution from domestic burning in smoke control areas and it is their legal duty to do that by issuing fines as they deem necessary. We work closely with them to improve awareness and understanding of those rules.”
