PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Coal: Heating (2 March 2020)

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason the Government proposes to ban the burning of coal when its emissions levels are similar to that of burning dry wood.

Asked by:
Mr Richard Holden (Conservative)

As outlined in our written ministerial statement of 24 February 2020 the purpose of our policy is to reduce people’s exposure to the most harmful pollutant to human health (PM2.5). While defined by its size, fine particulate matter in smoke from domestic combustion contains a wide range of chemical compounds, depending on what is being burnt. In developing this policy we have taken into account the clear advice of the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer, which has stated that emissions from coal combustion is a known carcinogen to humans. There is also strong evidence that burning coal can release elements and compounds into the indoor environment that are particularly harmful to human health. Based on this evidence, the World Health Organization has strongly recommended against the residential use of coal for heating.

Answered by:
Rebecca Pow (Conservative)
5 March 2020