Embrace autumn without a bonfire
As the nights draw in and leaves turn yellow, autumn festivities are finally here. But this year, we’re encouraging people to think twice about their plans for 5th November.
While Bonfire Night can feel like a fun and festive way to spend time with family and friends, these celebrations can harm local wildlife and affect our health.
Reports from DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs) show that events like Bonfire Night produce significant short-term episodes of particulate matter air pollution, such as PM2.5. (1)
These tiny particles of soot and dust, invisible to the naked eye, can enter our bloodstream and impact nearly every organ in our body. Exposure increases our risk of heart and lung disease, cancer, diabetes, and dementia. (2)
Burning wood, whether in stoves or bonfires, is a major source of PM2.5. Studies show that in just one hour, wood burning stoves emit as much PM2.5 as six diesel HGVs, or 18 diesel cars. (3)
If you or someone you know has respiratory issues, this can be especially concerning. A survey by Asthma + Lung UK Scotland found that half of people with asthma or COPD say that poor air quality, including smoke, triggers their symptoms.
Attending an organised display instead of having your own bonfire can help reduce pollution. However, some councils are skipping bonfires this year due to concerns about air pollution and rising costs. (4)
If you do decide to have a bonfire, avoid burning household waste, varnished or painted wood, which can be extremely toxic. To reduce particulate emissions, opt for kiln-dried or well-seasoned wood with less than 20% moisture content.
Both bonfires and fireworks can also disturb wildlife. Fireworks can frighten animals, particularly birds, while leftover debris can be harmful if ingested. To reduce your impact, build your bonfire shortly before lighting it, and check for animals sheltering inside – like hedgehogs, birds, frogs, toads and newts.
Ultimately, skipping Bonfire Night is the easiest way to protect our health, our neighbours, and our environment. At tEC, we’ll be starting some new November traditions instead, with boardgames, hot chocolate, and autumnal veggies – pumpkin macaroni, anyone?
If you or someone you know has a lung condition, Asthma + Lung UK have tips to stay safe this Bonfire Night.
(1) DEFRA – UK Air Information Resource
(2) Air Pollution and Noncommunicable Diseases
(3) The Potential Air Quality Impacts from Biomass Combustion
(4) Why this year’s firework events in Walsall will not have a bonfire
