Indoor air pollution due to emissions from wood-burning stoves

Abstract

Four wood-burning stoves, three airtight and one non-airtight, were operated in a single-floor 236-m/sup 3/ residence and tested for indoor pollutant emissions. Results showed the airtight stoves emitted minor amounts of carbon monoxide and respirable suspended particles during door-opening operations, while the nonairtight stove continuously injected pollutants indoors under certain operating conditions. During airtight stove operation, carbon monoxide levels reached a maximum of 4 ppm, while average total suspended particulate levels ranged from 24 to 71 ..mu..g/m/sup 3/. During normal nonairtight stove operation, carbon monoxide levels reached a maximum of 8 ppm, while total suspended particulate levels ranged from 30 to 650/sup +/g/m/sup 3/. Outdoor carbon monoxide levels were 1.1 ppm or less, and outdoor particulate levels ranged from 7 to 31 ..mu..g/m/sup 3/. Five polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, including benzo(a)pyrene, were measured in the collected particulate samples, and the results are reported. Source strengths for carbon monoxide, total suspended particles, and five polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are reported. 26 references, 4 figures, 5 tables.