• YOU gave space to an item announcing the intention to crack down on burning wood in order to improve the air quality in the borough, (It’s Camden versus the wood-burners! February 6).

This may sound like a good idea but it’s nothing more than political spin.

The article stated that air pollution accounts for 109 premature deaths in Camden every year.

Not 108 or 110 but 109. Even if that total is accurate, rather than just a statistical extrapolation, there is no way of determining how many deaths out of the total were caused by the domestic burning of wood.

In reality, the domestic burning of wood in Camden, whether it be in land-based or floating homes is a tiny part of the total.

The vast majority of PM2.5 particulates in our air come from other sources, including burning gasoline, diesel, oil and house coal, construction sites and demolition, industrial processes, air fresheners and household cleaners even trees, shrubs and car tyres.

Another significant source of these particulates is incinerators. According to Nottingham County Council waste incinerators “selectively emit smaller particles and cause a greater level of PM2.5 than PM10 particulates”.

Councillor Adam Harrison should know this as he sits on the management board of the North London Waste Authority (NLWA).

This organisation has used its muscle and influence, in the face of fierce local opposition, to force through the development of a giant incinerator in Edmonton replacing the one already there.

According to a letter from Siân Berry to the CNJ in 2022, Camden sent more than 41,000 tonnes of waste to be burnt in Edmonton.

As that was an increase on the previous year you may guess that even more is sent today and yet more when the capacity is fully realised.

The NLWA makes decisions about how to dispose of waste from north London.

It also owns London Energy Ltd which manages and operates recycling centres, waste transfer stations, and an energy waste facility.

It is clear Camden’s “environment chief”, who is ultimately responsible for sending thousands of tonnes of rubbish for incineration, is trying to deflect attention away from the real causes by choosing to outlaw the least significant source of PM2.5 particulates.

He says: “We want no one in the borough to experience poor health because of the air they breathe”.

What the people of Camden detect in the air they breathe is not so much PM2.5 particulates but the strong whiff of hypocrisy.

Objections and feedback on the proposal should be raised by March 20.

Visit: consultations.wearecamden.org/supporting-communities/smoke-control-order-2025

H FLINDER, NW5