Abstract
This study concerns the levels of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM1) released by residential stoves inside the home during ‘real world’ use. Focusing on stoves that were certified by the UK’s Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), PM sensors were placed in the vicinity of 20 different stoves over four weeks, recording 260 uses. The participants completed a research diary in order to provide information on time lit, amount and type of fuel used, and duration of use, among other details. Multivariate statistical tools were used in order to analyse indoor PM concentrations, averages, intensities, and their relationship to aspects of stove management. The study has four core findings. First, the daily average indoor PM concentrations when a stove was used were higher for PM2.5 by 196.23% and PM1 by 227.80% than those of the non-use control group. Second, hourly peak averages are higher for PM2.5 by 123.91% and for PM1 by 133.09% than daily averages, showing that PM is ‘flooding’ into indoor areas through normal use. Third, the peaks that are derived from these ’flooding’ incidents are associated with the number of fuel pieces used and length of the burn period. This points to the opening of the stove door as a primary mechanism for introducing PM into the home. Finally, it demonstrates that the indoor air pollution being witnessed is not originating from outside the home. Taken together, the study demonstrates that people inside homes with a residential stove are at risk of exposure to high intensities of PM2.5 and PM1 within a short period of time through normal use. It is recommended that this risk be reflected in the testing and regulation of residential stoves.
Highlights
As a component of air pollution, particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter that is equal to2.5 μm or less (PM2.5 ) has long been linked to adverse health effects
The findings indicate that average indoor PM2.5 and PM1 are higher when the stoves are lit when compared to the period in which they are not in use with PM2.5 levels, and PM1 levels
The findings indicate that real-world indoor PM exposure from these stoves is higher when lit as compared to the period in which they are not in use
Summary
As a component of air pollution, particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter that is equal to2.5 μm or less (PM2.5 ) has long been linked to adverse health effects. In terms of health effects, it causes inflammation and oxidative stress, which compromises pulmonary immunity and increases the susceptibility to infection [2] As these particulates can move into every organ in the body, the illnesses that are associated with their presence range from lung cancer, bronchitis, and other respiratory infections, through to strokes, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease [3]. Effects such as these are pronounced for children, pregnancies, and the elderly [4]. While much research focuses on particulate emissions that are generated by industry and vehicles, in the United Kingdom (UK) the primary source for PM2.5 is Atmosphere 2020, 11, 1326; doi:10.3390/atmos11121326 www.mdpi.com/journal/atmosphere
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