PM2.5 Monitor Neighbour Bonfire Smoke: How to Log the Evidence

Why a smell is not enough

If the council told you they need evidence, you have hit the usual wall: officers generally have to witness a nuisance themselves, and by the time an inspector arrives the smoke has cleared. A monitor left running does not have that problem — it captures the spike as it happens, whether you are awake to report it or not.

Building a simple evidence log

Use the TEMTOP-AIR in the worst-affected room. It runs up to 12 hours on a charge, so it can watch a whole evening. When smoke drifts in and the reading climbs, photograph the display with your phone so the time shows, and jot the date and time. Repeat over several evenings and you have a pattern, not a one-off.

Reading the numbers honestly

Wood smoke can push indoor PM2.5 well above the World Health Organization 24-hour guide of 15 micrograms per cubic metre. Record how high it goes and how long it stays there. Be straight with the council about what the device is: a consumer monitor gives indicative, not forensic, readings, but a dated log is far stronger than describing a smell.

The TEMTOP-AIR is £65.42 (RRP £89.59), rated 4.8 from 200 reviews, with free UK delivery, 30-day returns and a 12-month warranty — far less than a one-off professional survey.

What to do with the log

Pair your readings with your council’s smoke control area process, keep the tone factual, and log dates and times consistently. If the smoke is from your own stove rather than a neighbour, the fixes are different — see the PM2.5 monitor for wood burning stove guide. To choose a monitor on price, see the best budget air quality monitor guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a home air quality monitor as evidence for a council complaint

It provides indicative, time-stamped PM2.5 readings you can photograph. It is not a forensic instrument, but a dated log is stronger than describing a smell.

How do I record smoke coming into my house

Leave the monitor in the worst-affected room, and when levels rise, photograph the reading with a visible clock and note the date and time.

What counts as high PM2.5 from smoke

Wood smoke can push indoor PM2.5 well above the World Health Organization 24-hour guide of 15 micrograms per cubic metre. Record how high and for how long.

Is wood smoke really a big source of particle pollution

Yes. UK figures attribute a large share of fine-particle pollution to domestic burning, so a neighbour bonfire or stove can noticeably raise indoor readings.