Impact of wood combustion on indoor air quality

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2020-02, Vol.705, p.135769-135769, Article 135769
• Main Authors: Vicente, E.D., Vicente, A.M., Evtyugina, M., Oduber, F.I., Amato, F., Querol, X., Alves, C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Indoor air quality; Mediterranean region; OC/EC; Organic markers; PM10; Residential biomass combustion
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135769

The incomplete wood combustion in appliances operated in batch mode is a recognised source of both in- and outdoor airborne pollutants, especially particulate matter (PM). Data on pollutant levels and PM characteristics in households with wood burning devices in developed countries are scarce with most studies describing stove change out programmes or other intervention measures. The aim of the present study was to simultaneously evaluate indoor and outdoor concentrations of CO, CO2 and PM10 during the operation of wood burning appliances (open fireplace and woodstove) in unoccupied rural households. PM10 samples were analysed for water soluble inorganic ions, major and trace elements, organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and detailed organic speciation. The CO 8-hour average concentrations did not exceed the protection limit despite the sharp increases observed in relation to background levels. During the open fireplace operation, PM10 levels rose up 12 times compared to background concentrations, while the airtight stove resulted in a 2-fold increase. The inhalation cancer risk of particulate bound PAHs in the room equipped with woodstove was estimated to be negligible while the long-term exposure to PAH levels measured in the fireplace room may contribute to the development of cancer. The excess lifetime cancer risk resulting from the particle-bound Cr(VI) exposure during the fireplace and woodstove operation was higher than 1.0 × 10−6 and 1.0 × 10−5, respectively. Levoglucosan was one of the most abundant individual species both indoors and outdoors. This study underlines air pollution hazards and risks arising from the operation of traditional wood burning appliances. [Display omitted] •PM detailed chemical profiles and health risks in homes with wood burning devices•Emission rates of 1.29 (fireplace) and 0.049 (woodstove) mgPM10 min−1 were obtained.•The cancer risk for Cr(VI) was higher than 10−6 (fireplace) and 10−5 (woodstove).•The PAH cancer potency was about 7 times higher in the room with fireplace.•Health significance of results should be further evaluated by toxicological studies.