Wood burning air pollution in UK has doubled in a decade

Experts say wood burners have become ‘middle-class status symbols’ and government should regulate sale in urban areas

Emissions of toxic air pollution from wood burning in UK homes has more than doubled in the past decade, according to official government statistics.

The report also showed that solid fuel burning in homes, which includes a small proportion of coal, is the single biggest source of PM2.5 pollution, which refers to particulate matter that is smaller than 2.5 microns in size. Road transport, industry and burning wood and other biomass to produce electricity all produce fewer PM2.5 emissions.