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Home wood-burning pollution can rival traffic exhaust exposure for children, study finds
A study of six European towns and cities suggests that children’s exposure to pollution from home wood-burning can be as significant as exposure to traffic exhaust. Researchers found the highest levels of cancer-related pollutants in places where wood heating is common, raising concerns about children’s health and development.
The study measured polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in homes, schools and sports centres in Athens, Barcelona, Colchester, Copenhagen, Helsinki and Lisbon. PAH levels were highest in Colchester and Athens, and exceeded World Health Organization guidelines there; in Colchester homes, some winter measurements were more than 10 times summer levels. Sports centres had the lowest concentrations, and the researchers said no city exceeded limits for lifetime cancer risk. Separate UK research found Colchester ranked 120th of 333 councils for wood-burner density, while a study of children in Anglesey found those living with wood burners could face over three times the particle pollution exposure.
In short
- Wood-burning was linked to high indoor PAH levels in Colchester and Athens.
- Some winter PAH readings in Colchester homes were over 10 times summer levels.
- Researchers found no city exceeded limits for lifetime cancer risk.
Europe Health Medicine Research Science World
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Children’s exposure to home wood-burning could be as significant as traffic exhaust, study suggests”.