Lethal but legal: Air pollution from domestic burning
Article
Up until very recently, public policy has focused on the lethal and illegal concentrations of air pollution predominantly arising from road transport in the form of NO2 pollution. Yet PMx, the main emitter of which is domestic burning of solid fuels including wood, are measured in concentrations that are legal but actually more lethal than NO2.
The government’s recent clean air strategy highlights the wider contributors to air pollution in the UK beyond transport and provides policy measures to tackle it. The government has therefore made some welcome progress particularly in regard to emissions from domestic combustion. But, with approximately 1.9 million households still using solid fuels including wood in their homes, this report argues that the health cost is too high for policy to not go further and faster.
Related items
Building the foundations for transformation in the NHS
The government has published a bold 10-year plan to transform England’s health system which, if fully delivered, will make the NHS of tomorrow look radically different from today’s service.Taking stock: Counting the economic costs of alcohol harm
Alcohol consumption across the UK is increasing. Government and employers must act to address the health risks.A people-focussed future for transport in England
Our findings from three roundtables on the impact of transport in people’s lives and the priorities for change.