By Stephen Beech

Wood-burning stoves can damage lungs in a "similar way" to cigarette smoke, warns new research.

Using a trendy indoor wood burner at home can lead to a decline in lung function by causing inflammation, say scientists.

The use of solid fuel for domestic heating has soared in the UK and Europe - particularly among wealthy families - due to the marketing of wood as renewable energy and high fossil fuel prices.

In the UK, the proportion of harmful PM2.5 air pollution - known as fine particulate matter - caused by domestic solid fuel is now 20% of the total, compared with 4% for road vehicle exhaust emissions.

Annual emissions, specifically from domestic wood burning, almost doubled from 3,200 tonnes in 2009 to 6,000 tonnes in 2023.

Building on a previous study that m

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