New Air Quality Legislation on Wood Used for Solid Fuel from 1st May 2021
From the 1st May 2021 new legislation will come into effect whereby wood, sold in volumes of more than 2m3 for the purposes of domestic solid fuel, must have the correct packaging label (as detailed in the Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards)(England) Regs 2020. It is based around the moisture content of wood for the purpose of combustion in domestic premises in England.
Wood is not suitable for burning until it has been dried and should not be burnt until it has a moisture content of 20% or less. Wet wood contains moisture which creates smoke and harmful particulates when burnt. As well as being harmful to health and the environment, this can damage stoves and chimneys and is an inefficient way to heat homes. Wood should be dried in a sunny, well-aired space for at least two years, with rain kept off in the winter.
Radial cracks and bark that comes off easily suggests wood that is ready for burning. Testing the wood, ideally with a moisture meter will confirm it is ready. To do this the meter needs calibrating and then measure a freshly split surface to get the best reading.
To reduce the amount of pollutants produced from burning solid fuel, homeowners should maintain their solid fuel burning appliances adequately and ensure that the fuel is clean and dry. Burning of wet fuel, such as unseasoned wood, will mean that the fuel will burn at a lower temperature and will result in higher levels of emissions, including dioxins, furans, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, particulate matter, and nitrogen oxides. Burning contaminated fuel, such as painted or preserved wood, will also lead to higher emissions.
It is essential that the wood to be burned has been properly dried and seasoned and that it has not been treated with any preservative or paint. Particulate Matter, especially PM2.5, is responsible for many of the adverse health effects of air pollution. The biggest impact on public health is understood to be from long-term exposure which increases the age-specific mortality rate, particularly from cardiovascular causes. Exposure to high concentrations over a short period (such as a pollution episode) can also exacerbate lung and heart conditions significantly affecting quality of life, and increase in deaths and hospital emissions.
Overall it is estimated that 34% of PM2.5 in the UK is emitted by domestic wood burning.
For more details on the work of PPP with regards to Air Quality see link here.
For more information on the Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards)(England) Regs 2020 see link here.
For Trade Guidance see link here.
