Air pollution harms us all, but it’s especially harmful if you have a lung condition. Air pollution can irritate your airways and increase your lung symptoms, and some types of air pollutants can get deep into your lungs and cause inflammation.2
Burning wood or coal in a stove or on an open fire, releases tiny particles called particulate matter (PM2.5), particles that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter. The particles are so small that you can inhale them, and they can then get into your lungs. Ultrafine particles can cross into your bloodstream; these particles can carry toxic chemicals that are linked to respiratory conditions, heart disease and lung cancer.2
Vehicles, industrial emissions, wildfires, agricultural burning and household activities all generate PM2.5, but according to research in 2024 20% of PM2.5 emissions were caused by domestic combustion and most emissions from domestic combustion came from households burning wood indoors (12 percent of total PM2.5 emissions).3
The polling, undertaken by Opinion Matters of 1000 people in Northern Ireland, also showed that nearly seven in ten people (67.8%) were concerned about the effect of smoke from solid fuels in their community, with nearly six in ten (57%) worried about their family’s respiratory health.
The lack of awareness of the health impacts of wood burning stoves was also a concern for nearly seven out of ten (69.2%) people.
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 (4). These emissions contribute significantly to poor air quality, which worsens lung conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (2).
Asthma + Lung UK Northern Ireland are calling for a new Clean Air Strategy to provide clear targets and obligations for government departments to provide better air quality and health outcomes for everyone in Northern Ireland.
The UK government and DAERA are also currently consulting the public on measures to reduce air pollution from wood burning and other forms of domestic burning. Asthma + Lung UK Northern Ireland don’t think the proposals go far enough. The consultation closes on 19 March 2026, and the charity urge anyone with a lung condition or whose health is otherwise affected by burning to make their voices heard.
Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma + Lung UK Northern Ireland and chair of Healthy Air Northern Ireland said:
“The idea of a cosy wood burner in your home might sound appealing, but the reality is it could be putting you, your family and community’s 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. Lungs can be irritated by the fumes from wood burners, forcing some people with lung conditions to stay inside or risk worsening their symptoms.
“Although we are thankfully seeing an increased awareness in Northern Ireland of the health dangers posed by wood burning, many people are still unaware, and we need that to change.
“We are urging the Executive to bring in stricter air pollution legislation as soon as possible, including for wood burning stoves, to help protect the health of our communities.”
References
| The increased use of wood burning stoves | 2024/25 | 2025/26 |
| N | 1000 | 1000 |
| Concerned (Net) | 48.6% 486 people | 64.6% 646 people |
| Extremely concerned | 16.5% 165 people | 23.8% 238 people |
| Quite concerned | 32.1% 321 people | 40.8% 408 people |
| Not very concerned | 39.5% 395 people | 26.4% 264 people |
| Not at all concerned | 11.9% 119 people | 9% 90 people |
| Not concerned (Net) | 51.4% 541 people | 35.4% 354 people |
2. Air pollution effects on your lungs, including lung cancer. Asthma + Lung UK.; accessed 23 February 2026 Air pollution effects on your lungs, including lung cancer | Asthma + Lung UK
3. Emissions of air pollutants in the UK – Particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5). Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; accessed 23 February 2026. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/emissions-of-air-pollutants/emissions-of-air-pollutants-in-the-uk-particulate-matter-pm10-and-pm25
4. Families for Clean Air. (n.d.). Health impacts of wood smoke. Retrieved April 2025 from: https://www.familiesforcleanair.org/health/health4/
Methodology and polling questions
The research was conducted by Opinion Matters on behalf of Asthma + Lung UK NI, among a sample of 1,000 adults in NI aged 16+. The data was collected between 19.12.25 - 06.01.26. Opinion Matters abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles. Opinion Matters is also a member of the British Polling Council.
57% - Combining those who said ‘extremely concerned’ or ‘quite concerned’ to the following question ‘How concerned are you about the following: my family’s respiratory health’
67.8% - Combining those who said ‘extremely concerned’ or ‘quite concerned’ to the following question ‘How concerned are you about the following: effects of burning solid fuels (wood, coal, peat) in my community’
69.2% - Combining those who said ‘extremely concerned’ or ‘quite concerned’ to the following question ‘How concerned are you about the lack of awareness of the health impacts of wood burning stoves’.