Thousands still buying dirty wood‑burners

Burning wood and coal in stoves releases particulate emissions, the most damaging form of air pollution
Burning wood and coal in stoves releases particulate emissions, the most damaging form of air pollution
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More than 100,000 dirty wood-burning stoves were sold last year despite promises by the government and stove industry to cut the pollution they cause.

“Ecodesign” stoves, which reduce harmful emissions by 80 per cent, were launched two years ago but accounted for only 30 per cent of the 170,000 stoves sold in Britain last year.

Burning wood and coal in stoves and open fires causes 38 per cent of particulate emissions, the most damaging form of air pollution, according to the government’s clean air strategy, published a week ago.

The Stove Industry Alliance (SIA) launched Ecodesign stoves in February 2017. They burn wood more completely by introducing air at higher levels in the fire box, reigniting the wood particles before they can escape. More than