"What many people dont realise is that the amount of moisture within wood directly correlates to the number of potentially dangerous particulate matter released into the air."
Richard Campbell
With temperatures tumbling Bristol owners of wood burners and open fires are being reminded of new restrictions introduced to reduce the number of dangerous particles released into the environment.
Wood burning appliances, which are hugely popular for use in both domestic and commercial premises and can be found in 1.5m homes, have been identified as one of the major causes of pollution in the UK.
Through its Clean Air Strategy the Government is set to announce plans to reduce pollution including a crackdown on the use of wood burners responsible for more than a third (37%) of all particulate matter released into the environment.
One of the ways people can prevent their wood burners from belching out harmful particulates is by only using fuel which has been specially treated to massively reduce its moisture content.
“What many people don’t realise is that the amount of moisture within wood directly correlates to the number of potentially dangerous particulate matter released into the air,” said Richard Campbell, founder and managing director of Bristol Firewood.
“Believe it or not, burning untreated fuel in a wood burner releases more dangerous particulates into the atmosphere than the exhaust of a diesel lorry,” he added.
Fine particulates, which are 200 times smaller than a grain of sand, are a major health worry with their ability to penetrate lungs, pass into the bloodstream embed themselves in bodily organs including your brain.
Founded in 2007, Bristol Firewood provides kiln-dried fuel for wood burners that releases up to 85% less particulates than air dried or fresh wood.
“Even wood that’s been left to dry in the air for months or even years retains significant amounts of moisture which is so bad for people’s health not to mention harmful to the environment due to the volume of particulates it generates,” continued Richard.
“This is mainly because a freshly cut log of ‘wet’ wood is likely to contain over a pint of water and, when burned, much of the heat energy is used simply to dry out the water resulting in the smoking and smouldering releasing pollutants into the atmosphere.
“As a result of this type of air pollution, those with fires and stoves now face restrictions on what they can burn.”
All the wood and fuel provided by Bristol Firewood has been specially kiln-dried, meaning up to 85% of its moisture content evaporates before it ever goes near a wood burner, therefore the number of particulates generated is vastly reduced.
In addition to being better for the environment, kiln-dried logs are also safer.
Richard said: “Because there is less moisture in our wood it spits less when burned, so there’s far less risk of fire spreading in your home or business premises.”
