Families told 'open your windows to get rid of air pollution'

Families were urged today to open their windows more frequently as part of Environment Secretary Michael Gove’s new clean air strategy.

It says that air pollution inside the home can often be higher than outside, from toxic materials that accumulate through sources such as cleaning products or wood-burning stoves.

A new labelling system may be introduced for domestic products — similar to that used for food — to show their potential harmful effect. Mr Gove published a 104-page clean air strategy, including measures to tackle toxic air, and new powers for the Mayor of London.

The health impact of vehicle fumes has been highlighted in recent years, but the document also stresses air is often dirtier inside cars than outside, so it is healthier to walk or cycle. “Similarly, most people think air inside their home is cleaner than that outside. However, this is rarely the case,” it adds.

“Levels of air pollutants in the home can be significantly higher than those outside. For example, NMVOCs (non-methane volatile organic compounds) and particulates accumulate inside the more confined space in the home, through ... use of cleaning products, the installation of new carpets and furniture, and especially where wood-burning stoves or open fires are regularly used.

“Simple actions, like burning cleaner fuels and opening windows to ventilate the home, can make a big difference.” Mr Gove told BBC radio: “We will bring forward primary legislation, whether a new Clean Air Act or a new Environment Act.” After talks with Sadiq Khan last night, City Hall is set to get powers to clamp down on construction machinery fumes and impose tighter emissions standards for new wood-burners.

Councils may also be given powers to announce “no-burn days” to limit the use of burners during pollution peaks.

Mr Khan welcomed the measures but criticised the Government for not introducing a nationwide diesel vehicle scrappage scheme, or allocating more funds to City Hall to address toxic air.

Mr Gove defended the decision not to ban wood-burners and to instead target the “worst and smokiest” fuels, saying the measures were “proportionate”. The aim is to halve, by 2025, the number of people living in areas where PM2.5 particulates are above safe levels as set by the World Health Organisation.