Published: 22 Jan 2026

Friends of the Earth Cymru and other members of Healthy Air Cymru are urging the Welsh Government to bring in stricter air pollution legislation to help protect our health and the environment.

Ahead of Clean Air Night on January 22, Healthy Air Cymru, a coalition of health and environmental charities, are calling on the Welsh Government to set a more ambitious target for particulate matter (PM) 2.5.

Vehicles, industrial emissions, wildfires, agricultural burning, and household activities all — generate PM 2.5. According to research, 20% of PM 2.5 emissions is caused by domestic burning.

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 we can inhale them, and they can then get into our lungs. PM 2.5 pollution has also been linked to lung and heart conditions, cancer, strokes, mental health issues and dementia.

In November, the Welsh Government published a consultation paper on a target for PM2.5, setting a new limit of 10µg/m3 by 2035. Healthy Air Cymru is calling on Welsh Government to be more ambitious and match England’s target of 2030.   

Annual polling commissioned by Asthma + Lung UK Cymru, shows that people in Wales are increasingly worried about the health and environmental implications of wood burning stoves. 

It shows an increase from 3 in 10 people (36%) three years ago to 6 in 10 people (65%) today (1) who said they were concerned about the increased use of wood burning stoves. 

The polling, undertaken by Opinion Matters of 1000 people in Wales, also showed that nearly 7 in 10 people (69.8%) were concerned about their family’s respiratory health and 6 in 10 (65.7%) were concerned about the effects of burning solid fuels in their community.

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. These emissions contribute significantly to poor air quality, which worsens lung conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 

Joseph Carter, Chair of Healthy Air Cymru and Head of Asthma + Lung UK Cymru said: 

“The idea of glowing embers in a 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 Wales of the health dangers posed by wood burning, many people are still unaware and we want that to change. 

“That’s why, ahead of Clean Air Night, we are urging the Welsh Government to bring in stricter air pollution legislation to help protect the health of our communities and for people, especially with lung conditions, to engage in the public consultation to ensure their voices are heard.”

Haf Elgar, Vice Chair of Healthy Air Cymru and Director of Friend of the Earth Cymru, said:

“For the sake of our health and the environment, we must drastically reduce the amount of tiny particles circulating in our air – from burning wood and other sources. That’s why we’re calling for Welsh ministers to be more ambitious when setting our air pollution targets. This would save many lives, especially those who suffer from respiratory and lung conditions.

Josephine, who has asthma, is retired and lives in North Wales said: 

“I am glad to see that the dangers of wood burning are becoming more of a concern for people in Wales.

“I worked abroad for a number of years where domestic wood burning was seen as normal. At the time, the health risks were not widely recognised.  Smoke from our neighbours, who used wood stoves daily, made me very poorly. As someone with asthma, it caused me to have a tight, painful chest. 

“I have lived in Wales for many years now and avoid all smoke. I can immediately ‘taste’ smoke in the air, whether it comes from bonfires or chimneys in the village. If there’s lots of smoke, it really affects me. The soreness and wheezing can last for days, and my asthma medication offers only limited relief. I now have to be constantly cautious, which is tiring and frustrating. There are many people and places I sadly cannot visit. Trying to ignore the smoke simply doesn’t work, at least not for me. 

“The health damage from wood smoke is serious and should be treated as such.” 

1 Combining those who said ‘extremely concerned’ or ‘quite concerned’ to the following question ‘How concerned are you about the following: the increased use of wood burning stoves’   2023: 36.1% 2024: 48.5% 2025: 47.2% 2026: 65%.