Participation in a programme for assisted replacement of wood-burning stoves in Chile: The role of sociodemographic factors, evaluation of air quality and risk perception

Abstract

Temuco and Padre Las Casas are two of the most polluted cities in southern Chile; around 90% of the particulate matter emissions are produced by wood-burning stoves used for domestic heating and cooking. Surveys were collected from 489 residents to examine differences between applicants and non-applicants to a programme to replace wood-burning stoves with pellet stoves. Results show that participants who applied to the programme are, on average, older than non-applicants, are more likely to have a respiratory impairment, tend to evaluate indoor air quality worse than non-applicants and tend to perceive the health effects of air pollution as more severe. The findings also suggest that motivation to improve air quality is a key aspect for understanding the adoption of pellet stoves when the requirement for initial investment is removed. Practical implications relating to the role of sociodemographic and psychological factors in the decision to replace heating systems are discussed to support the design of more effective interventions to mitigate wood smoke pollution.