Air quality a worry for over half of people in Wales - but many don't see wood burning as a danger to their health

Leading Welsh lung health charity calls for tighter regulations of wood burning stoves

Released on 29th April 2025

Asthma + Lung UK Cymru has released a new report calling for stricter regulations on wood-burning stoves and urging the Welsh Government to raise public awareness about the health risks of pollutants from domestic burning.

Particulate matter (PM2.5) consists of fine particles that, once in the air from burning wood, are harmful to human health. If you already have a lung condition, are elderly or very young - prolonged or even short term, exposure can be harmful. It has also been linked to the increased likelihood of developing lung and heart conditions, cancer, strokes, mental health issues and dementia

Burning wood or coal on a stove or in an open fire releases tiny particles called particulate matter (PM). PM is the most dangerous type of pollution for our health; it can cause wheezing and coughing and can make lung conditions like asthma and COPD worse. It has also been linked to heart conditions, strokes, mental health issues and dementia.1

In a poll commissioned by the charity and undertaken by Opinion Matters of 1000 people in Wales showed that over 6 in 10 people (65.1%) were concerned about their respiratory health and over half (53.6%) of those surveyed said they were concerned about air quality in their local area, yet less than half (47.2%) were concerned about the use of wood burning stoves.

Research shows that a single fireplace burning 10 lbs of wood for just one hour can emit up to 4,300 times more cancer-causing particles than 30 cigarettes. These emissions contribute significantly to poor air quality, which worsens lung conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).2

Asthma + Lung Cymru is urging the Welsh Government to take steps to address air pollution from domestic burning, which poses significant risks to public health, especially for those with lung conditions and to strengthen its draft smoke control guidance.

Key recommendations of the report include:

  • Ban the installation of new stoves in homes except in special circumstances.
  • Phase out domestic wood burning in urban areas, assist rural residents to transition away from wood as a primary heating source, and support those in fuel poverty with fuel cost assistance.
  • Roll out Smoke Control Areas (SCAs) nationwide with exemptions only for rural communities.
  • Launch a national campaign on the health impacts of air pollution, with clear guidance for households using wood-burning stoves or open fires.

Install PM2.5 monitoring stations in every community to track air quality, identify hot spots and issue health alerts to support improved air quality.

Judy, who has asthma, is retired and lives in North Wales said:

“My non-allergic asthma, triggered by traffic fumes, was formally diagnosed in the late 1990s. My breathing became far worse when I worked abroad for a number of years, largely due to traditional winter wood smoke. At the time, the health risks of domestic wood burning were not widely recognised. Our neighbours’ daily smoke made me very poorly. I had a tight, painful chest every morning.

“If your lungs are sensitive, and you inhale wood smoke regularly, it’s worse than second-hand cigarette smoke —and recovery is difficult, if not impossible. Now I live in Wales and avoid all smoke. I have never smoked cigarettes, and I can immediately ‘taste’ smoke in the air, whether it comes from bonfires or chimneys in the village. If the smoke is strong, I suffer. The soreness, wheezing, and congestion can last for days, and my asthma medication offers only limited relief. I now have to be constantly cautious, which is tiring and frustrating. There are many people and places I sadly cannot visit. Wood smoke damage is serious.” 

Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma + Lung UK Cymru said:

“It is worrying that although people are concerned about their lung health and air pollution, less than half of people questioned in our survey were not aware of the dangers of wood burning stoves. We have launched this report to highlight that Wales there is limited public awareness that burning solid fuels is bad for your health.

“Although tackling domestic burning was one of the priorities the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscape) Act 2024, a year later and the Welsh Government has done little to restrict the use of stoves or the dirtiest fuels. Their draft Smoke Control Guidance does not require or encourage councils to introduce smoke control areas, whilst there are no immediate plans to ban ‘house’ coal as England have done since 2023.3

“The idea of a cosy wood burner in our homes might sound appealing, but the reality is it could be putting you, your family and neighbours’ lung health at risk. Burning solid fuels like wood, generates air pollution both inside and outside homes, particularly PM2.5, which is one of the most harmful pollutants to human health.

“Many people incorrectly think burning wood is a greener and cheaper alternative to coal or gas and are unaware of the dangers it can cause to their lungs. Lungs can be irritated by the fumes from wood burners forcing some people with lung conditions to stay inside or risk worsening their symptoms.

“That's why we are urging the Welsh Government to educate the public about the health risks of air pollution, with a particular focus on the harmful effects of domestic wood burning.”

The full report which will be published on Tuesday 29 April can be accessed here: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/welsh-domestic-burning-report

ENDS

References

  1.  Air pollution effects on your lungs, including lung cancer | Asthma + Lung UK
  2. Families for Clean Air. (n.d.). Health impacts of wood smoke. Retrieved April 2025 from: https://www.familiesforcleanair.org/health/health4/
  3. https://www.gov.wales/local-air-quality-management-and-smoke-control-gu…

Methodology

  • We surveyed 1,000 adults in Wales and 6 out of ten (65.1%) are concerned about their family's respiratory health.  Combining those who said ‘extremely concerned’ or ‘quite concerned’ to the following question ‘How concerned are you about the following: your families’ respiratory health.’  
  • We surveyed 1,000 adults in Wales and over half (53.6%) are concerned about air quality in their local area. Combining those who said ‘extremely concerned’ or ‘quite concerned’ to the following question ‘How concerned are you about the following: Air quality in my local area’.
  • We surveyed 1,000 adults in Wales and less than half (47.2%) are concerned about the increased use of wood burning stoves, Combining those who said ‘extremely concerned’ or ‘quite concerned’ to the following question ‘How concerned are you about the following: the increased use of wood burning stoves.’  

The research was conducted by Opinion Matters, among a sample of 1,000 Adults aged 16+ in Wales. The data was collected between 05.02.2025 – 28.02.2025. Opinion Matters abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Opinion Matters is also a member of the British Polling Council.