Do not burn wood

Not burning wood or burning it consciously helps to improve air quality.

You tackle the following challenges:

How do I make my environment more aware of air quality

How do I reduce emissions from wood burning

This is how you tackle it

Many people find a wood fire cozy. Unfortunately, wood smoke is unhealthy, not only for yourself but also for your neighbors. Wood burning is one of the main sources of air pollution, and produces substances such as fine dust and soot. That is why it is better not to burn wood.

Tips

Don't burn wood. Use electric (outdoor) heating instead of a stove, fireplace or fire basket. Replace your Christmas tree burning with an atmospheric light festival. Or try an electric barbecue.
If you still want to make a wood fire, do it smart!
- Use only dry and untreated wood.
- Do not stoke in windless or foggy weather. Follow the stoking guide in the Netherlands.
- Use the right technique. You can find useful tips on " Hout het gezond " (Flanders) or Milieu Centraal (Netherlands).
Make people around you aware of the negative consequences of wood burning.

Learn more

Wood burning is responsible for a significant portion of air pollution by particulate matter. In Flanders, for example, 44% of the emission of particulate matter (PM _2.5 ) comes from wood or wood pellets for domestic heating. Two hours of wood burning produces as much particulate matter as a passenger car driving from Amsterdam to Milan.
Burning wood not only releases fine dust, but also dioxins and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Dioxins disrupt fertility and the hormone and immune system. PAHs cause DNA damage and are carcinogenic. Older people, children and people with sensitive lungs or heart problems are extra sensitive to the effects of wood smoke.