Blackburn with Darwen campaign on wood burning pollution

It's highlight is 'Clean Air Night' which will take place tonight (Wednesday, January 24).

The event aims to highlight the impact that wood burning can have on the environment and people’s health.

It is run by Global Action Plan, which campaigns for cleaner air across the UK.

Burning wood in closed stoves and open fires causes air pollution.

In Blackburn and Darwen, Environmental Health officers will be visiting people over the next few weeks and giving advice where they see significant smoke emissions.

They are also inviting people to contact them if they want to check that their wood burning stove and fuel complies with the law.

Wood burning can be more expensive, is less environmentally-friendly than other forms of heating and can have a negative effect on people's health:

Parts of Blackburn with Darwen are 'Smoke Control Areas' which specify the kind of solid fuels that can be burnt and the type of stove they can be burnt on.

The council administers and enforces the smoke control areas in the borough which includes giving advice on smokeless fuels and 'exempt appliances'.

Residents can support Clean Air Night by making sure that they comply with the requirements of their smoke control area.

It is essential that if burning wood that it is properly dried.

Cllr Damian Talbot, Blackburn with Darwen Council's public health boss, said; "Using a wood burner or solid fuel stove triples the level of harmful air pollution in your home and can cause serious health issues as well as hitting your wallet hard with higher costs.

"The health issues caused by pollution can include a wide range of serious health problems, including heart and lung disease.

"Clean Air Night is an opportunity to raise awareness of the dangers that can exist when you burn solid fuels in the home.

"We want to help people to be able to heat their homes as safely as possible and reduce harmful air pollution in their home and outside it.”