Should wood-burning stoves be banned?

HAVEN’T we had enough of green initiatives? Humans have been burning wood for tens of thousands of years, but the green lobby wants to ban wood-burners because some people use wet logs (Mail). Surely a notice on each new wood-burner would deal with those stupid enough not to know how to use them.

DAVID G. ROSE, Leominster, Herefordshire. DURING the winter, I feel I am surrounded by wood-burning stoves belching out their filth. Without maintenance, these stoves emit particles into the air and unseasoned wood makes the smoke more repulsive. Air purifiers have to be used to make the indoor air

quality acceptable. It’s absurd that these stoves are being installed in new-build homes as a sales gimmick.

CAROL ANDREWS, Ipswich, Suffolk. SO WOOD-BURNING stoves in the home are highly polluting and must be banned. Remind me what Drax power station is burning.

Name and address supplied. THE Government has recognised the dangers to our health posed by burning wood. In my village, woodburners have become popular, despite the fact every house has gas central heating. At times, the air is so dense it reminds me of growing up in North London during the Fifties when you could hardly see your hand in front of your face.

R. BISHOP, Billingshurst, W. Sussex. I AM surprised at the claims that the small number of households that use log-burners contribute such a high percentage of air pollution (Mail). I am more concerned about the pollution caused by reducing the speed limit to 20mph in towns and cities. Driving in a lower gear increases the pollutants being churned out of the car exhaust.

TREVOR DAVIS, Bath. SURELY speed humps cause far more pollution than wood burners. Cars accelerating and braking result in more exhaust pollution, brake dust and tyre particles being pumped into the atmosphere.

D. RUSH, Beckenham, Kent.