Air quality

No, air quality inside your home and workplace is also important to your health and the health of the planet. 

There are many sources of pollution in your home including from:

• wood burners
• coal fires
• gas fires
• gas cookers.

While most of the smoke from your fire goes up your chimney, all fires will also release particulate matter into your room. It can cause irritation of the nose and throat, coughs and breathing problems. It could make existing lung conditions worse.

When wood, coal, oil or gas don't burn properly, because of a faulty appliance or blocked chimney, they release carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas with no smell or taste and can kill in a couple of hours.

• DEFRA has launched a new winter 2023 / 2024 campaign aimed at households who use open fires and stoves as a form of heating or for decorative effect. The campaign encourages householders to take action to reduce the amount of particulate matter emitted by their fire by taking 3 easy actions:
  • check it - get you stove checked regularly
  • sweep it - have your chimney professional swept at least once a year
  • feed it - use the correct 'ready to burn' fuels.

These actions will:

• improve the air we all breathe by reducing the amount of pollution produced
• keep you and your family safe by reducing the risk of chimney fires
• help you get the most out of your stove or open fire so that it performs better - by using less fuel to produce more heat.

More information can be found on the burn better section of the DEFRA website.

Damp and mould

Condensation is caused by damp air as a result of cooking, showers and baths and drying clothes. Long term condensation can cause damp and mould to occur. An allergy to mould can cause irritation to the nose and throat. 

Smoke and vapour

Cigarettes, e-cigs, candles and incense sticks release particles as they burn that can remain in the air for up to 5 hours. Incense sticks emit 100 times more fine particles than candles.  Scented candles contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) (see below). They may cause irritations to the nose and throat, coughs or breathing difficulties, especially in children.

Volatile organic compounds

Volatile organic compounds are a group of chemicals that are commonly found in many cleaning products and other everyday household products such as:

• washing detergents
• furniture polish
• air fresheners
• deodorants and perfumes
• scented candles
• paints, varnish and glues
• petrol
• cement
• pesticides and fungicides.

Some products carry a globe symbol that is designed to tell you what level of volatile organic compound is in the product.

Exposure to these chemicals may irritate the lungs and cause allergies.