Wood burners may treble children’s exposure to pollution in homes, study finds

Key Highlights

• The results come from a study that looked at air pollution experienced by primary schoolchildren in Wales. Fifty-three children from two primary schools in Anglesey (Ynys Môn) were given backpacks equipped with air pollution sensors.
• They took the packs home and carried them during their journeys to and from school. Dr Hanbin Zhang, from the University of Exeter and part of the study team, said: “One thing that stood out was the home environment.
• This was the largest contributor to children’s daily particle pollution​ exposure – more than school or commuting.
• This was mainly due to indoor sources such as wood burning and indoor smoking.”Short peaks in particle pollution were linked to home cooking and secondhand tobacco smoke.
• Home heating with a fire or stove was linked to longer exposures.