Coal is one of the most polluting substances to burn especially within the home. It releases a number of airborne toxins and pollutants, including mercury, lead, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates, and various other heavy metals.1
Particulate matter is one of the most dangerous pollutants for human health. It exacerbates lung conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It has also been linked to the increased likelihood of developing heart conditions, strokes, mental health issues and dementia. Air pollution has been shown to cause cancers, with research showing that for every 10 µg/m³ of increased exposure to PM2.5, the risk of dying from any cancer rose by 22%.2
House coal releases just under five times more PM2.5 than smokeless coal and wet wood releases four times more PM2.5 than dried wood. It produces almost 3,700 times more PM2.5 emissions than gas boilers.3
The Scottish Government had looked at banning the sale of house coal in its Cleaner Air for Scotland Strategy, following on from a ban in England in 2023, but now they are no longer committing to it.4
On Thursday 27 March 2025 Colin Smyth MSP asked a question in parliament to Acting Minister for Climate Action, Alasdair Allan MSP, to clarify whether the ban would be going ahead. In his answer the Acting Minister wouldn’t commit to delivering the ban, instead talking about a review and warning about fuel poverty.
Audrey Glenn is 58 and lives in Dundee. She was diagnosed with asthma at the age of 22.
“Air pollution is a major trigger for me. I definitely smell the smoke from open fires and wood burners if they are on and if I go out into the garden. Sometimes when it’s really bad I have seen my garden full of smoke which obviously makes me cough, become breathless and I have to use my inhaler. My washing can smell of smoke too. I like to keep my back door open as much as possible as I have dogs, but quite often I have to close it because of the smoke.
“There are a few people with open coal fires near where I live as I’ve seen the coal being delivered. I’d like to see wood burners and the use of coal banned in cities, because the houses are too close together. Wood burners and especially coal fires aren’t suitable for built up residential areas. If you have a lung condition it’s not good at all, having to breathe in toxic air from burning wood or coal, gasping for breath. When I see the coal delivery lorry passing by, I think coal, that’s something my granny and great granny had!”
Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma + Lung UK Scotland said:
“We understand that the cost of living is hurting the most vulnerable our society, but this does not mean that we should start rolling back on steps to protect people’s health.
“We have long understood the dangers of burning coal so as with smoking, we need the Scottish Government to bring in legislation to help protect us from harm. We have thankfully long moved on from a time where burning coal within the home was an absolute necessity.
“England banned the sale of house coal in 2023, so why are people in Scotland not protected?
“Burning coal is a source of toxic air pollution both inside and outside homes. It not only damages your health but also the health of your neighbours and the environment too. Everyone deserves the right to breathe clean air, and we need the Scottish Government to act now before more lives are cut short.”
Asthma + Lung UK Scotland Domestic Burning Report: Asthma + Lung UK Scotland position can be found here.
ENDS
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