A citizen science project with schoolchildren on the Isle of Anglesey has revealed that for rural children, the greatest threat to air quality is not outside on the roads, but inside their own homes.
The research, involving schoolchildren carrying backpack-mounted air sensors, found that domestic wood burners and adult smoking are the primary sources of PM2.5 pollution for young people in this community.
Conducted by researchers from Cardiff University and involving 53 children from two primary schools, the project equipped students with portable monitors to track their 24-hour exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) across home, school, and commute settings.
While the average daily exposure (6.5 µg/m³) was below the WHO’s 24-hour guideline, the data revealed that home environments were responsible for 77% of the total PM2.5 inhaled by children, with evening peaks sometimes exceeding 600 µg/m³. These spikes were strongly linked to indoor activities, particularly the use of wood-burning stoves.
Lead researcher Shuangyu Wei said: .We found that the highest and most variable pollution occurred in the home, largely driven by adult behaviours like lighting fires and smoking. This challenges the common assumption that traffic is the dominant exposure source for children.’
The study provided a direct comparison between a more urban school near transport links and a rural school. Contrary to expectations, children in the rural village experienced higher pollution across all settings. This was correlated with a higher reported use of wood burners (53% of households vs. 21% in the town), pointing to heating practices, potentially influenced by fuel poverty and local tradition, as a significant factor.
Commuting accounted for only 4% of a child’s day and contributed minimally to overall exposure, despite occasional short-term peaks, such as from walking past restaurant kitchens or from second-hand smoke in cars.
The researchers also found that official records may underestimate how widespread wood burning is. Comparisons between student reports and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) data showed that decorative stoves are often not recorded. In rural, lower-income areas, wood burning was linked to both affordability pressures and cultural norms, highlighting the complex mix of economic and social factors shaping household energy choices.
Overall, the research concludes that children’s air pollution exposure is largely shaped by adult-controlled environments rather than children’s own activities. The authors argue that efforts to reduce exposure should focus on supporting and educating parents and caregivers, particularly in rural communities where wood burning is common.
The full research can be read here.
Feature photo: note thanun
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