How many are actually in the UK?
THERE are around 1.5million wood-burning stoves in the UK, according to the industry body. This is out of a total of around 27million households. The Stove Industry Alliance also says some 200,000 are sold each year. The Government has estimated that around 2.2million households in the UK burn wood – with around half thought to be using woodburning stoves. Approximately 80,000 households in London use the appliances, while a further 170,000 burn wood in open fires. The most damaging pollution produced by the stoves are called particulates – tiny specks of soot that can penetrate the lining of the lungs and cause or worsen breathing problems. Pollution expert Dr Gary Fuller, of King’s College London, said: ‘I’m very concerned about the impact on air pollution and on those exposed to it.’