Introduction

Air pollution has been a cause of concern in the UK for many hundreds of years, with coal burning being regulated in London as early as 1273. The main air emissions of concern generated during furniture manufacture are:

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Wood dust
Particulate matter from spraying and combustion
Formaldehyde from glues and board material
Hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen chloride from combustion
Odour
Noise

Key legislation
Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999
PG1/12(04) Combustion of fuel manufactured from or comprised of solid waste in appliances between 0.4 and 3MW	Controls wood combustion plant burning more than 90 kg per hour
PG6/2(04) Manufacture of timber and wood based products	Applies to sites which process >1,000 m 3 of timber p.a.
PG6/33(04) Wood coating processes	Relevant to companies which use > 5 tonnes of solvent p.a.
Environmental Protection Act, 1990, Part III, Statutory Nuisance	Controls neighbourhood nuisance resulting from noise, odour and dust etc.
Clean Air Act, 1993	Prevents emissions of dark smoke
Climate Change Levy (Registration and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2001	Places a levy on the use of fossil fuels