<2>The Growing Threat of Domestic Wood Burning Stoves—and Industry’s Legal Attempts to Shut Down Clean Air Campaigns
<3>Introduction
The use of wood burning stoves has become a contentious issue in England, with councils facing legal threats for running public health campaigns warning against their use. The Stove Industry Association (SIA) has been at the forefront of these efforts, lobbying local authorities and distributing misleading information about the health benefits of wood burning. In this article, we will examine the growing threat of domestic wood burning stoves and the industry’s attempts to silence clean air campaigns.
<3>The Risks of Wood Burning Stoves
Domestic wood burning is a major source of fine particle air pollution (PM2.5), which is considered the most harmful pollutant to human health by the World Health Organization. PM2.5 particles are 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter and can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing serious health problems. The UK government’s data on emissions shows that outdoor PM2.5 pollution, which includes residential heating as a predominant source, has been classified as a carcinogen.
<3>The Stove Industry Association’s Campaigns
The Stove Industry Association (S