The Government has announced a ban on the sale of wet wood and house coal which will make 2.5 million homes rethink how they heat their home. The Government hopes to clamp down on toxic air pollution
Homeowners will be stopped from buying coal and wet wood logs from next year as part of a Government clampdown on toxic air pollution where the Clean Air Strategy aims to reduce particulate matter emissions by 30 per cent by 2020.
The aim is that from 2021 the use to house coal and traditional wet wood will be stopped as there are concerns that tiny pollutant particles emitted when they burn can lead to serious health conditions. Anyone with a wood burning stove or open fire will be required to purchase kiln dried logs which reduces their moisture content.
Critics have warned that some who cannot replace using coal without a major expenditure would be left unable to heat their homes but the new rules will only apply to the sale, distributing and marketing of wet wood. You will still be able to own or burn wet wood after the cut-off date as it would be impossible to control what is stored at home.
The burning these fuels is believed to emits massive amounts of pollutants, known as PM2.5, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and blood and let off 38 per cent of the total PM2.5 pollution in the UK – more than road transport and industry combined, according to government figures.
Currently logs are considered dry when its moisture content is below 20 per cent so homeowners will be required to burn more environment friendly wood or smokeless fuel instead but these will be more expensive.
Sally Hatcher