A groundbreaking study conducted in Wales has uncovered alarming findings about the impact of wood burners on children's health, revealing that these heating devices may treble exposure to harmful particle pollution within homes. The research, which focused on primary schoolchildren, highlights that the home environment, rather than outdoor travel or school settings, is the largest contributor to daily pollution exposure for young individuals.
Study Methodology and Key Findings
Fifty-three children from two primary schools in Anglesey, Ynys Môn, participated in the study by carrying backpacks equipped with air pollution sensors. These devices monitored their exposure during journeys to and from school, as well as within their homes. Dr Hanbin Zhang from the University of Exeter, a member of the study team, emphasised that indoor sources such as wood burning and indoor smoking were the primary culprits behind elevated pollution levels.
Indoor Pollution Sources and Effects
Short peaks in particle pollution were linked to activities like home cooking and exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke. However, the use of wood burners or stoves for heating was associated with longer, more sustained exposures. In some instances, pollution persisted overnight in children's bedrooms due to fires remaining lit or smouldering, exacerbated by poor ventilation.
Professor Zhiwen Luo from Cardiff University, who led the research, provided stark comparisons: "During home hours, the average particle pollution in non-smoking homes with wood burners was about 13 micrograms per cubic metre, compared with 3.5 micrograms per cubic metre in non-smoking homes without wood burners." Although the study is small in scale, the consistent contrast supports the conclusion that wood burning can substantially increase indoor particle pollution.
Urban vs. Rural Pollution Contrasts
Contrary to common assumptions that towns and cities are the most polluted areas, the study found that urban children experienced less particle pollution on average compared to their rural counterparts. One school was located in Holyhead, an urban setting, while the other was in a rural area. Researchers attributed this difference to higher rates of wood burning in rural homes—53% compared to 21% in urban households—during the winter period when the study was conducted.
Health Risks and Broader Implications
The findings align with other international research, such as a recent study in New Zealand that highlighted asthma risks for children in wood-burning homes. Additionally, a previous study involving 50,000 women in the United States found a 43% increased risk of lung cancer among those who used wood burners at home, with this risk observed in both tobacco smokers and non-smokers over an average of 11 years.
Engaging Children and Promoting Behaviour Change
An integral aspect of the Anglesey study was involving the children in understanding their own data. Dr Shuangyu Wei from Cardiff University noted that this engagement prompted conversations and, in some cases, led to behaviour changes. Schools reported that parents began spontaneously discussing the results and investigating potential pollution sources within their homes.
Cooking activities also contributed to measured air pollution, particularly when backpacks were left near kitchens. Short pollution peaks were recorded when children walked past bakeries and restaurants on high streets. Interestingly, particle pollution inside schools was much lower than during travel or at home, and children who walked to school experienced less pollution than those driven, with parental smoking in cars producing the highest concentrations measured.
Policy Considerations and Future Steps
In response to such findings, the UK government is currently consulting on the implementation of health warnings for new stoves and solid fuels. This move aims to raise awareness and mitigate the health risks associated with indoor pollution sources like wood burners.
