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Indoor Air Pollution from Residential Stoves: Examining the Flooding of Particulate Matter into Homes during Real-World Use

Chakraborty, Rohit; Heydon, James; Mayfield, Martin; Mihaylova, Lyudmila

Indoor Air Pollution from Residential Stoves: Examining the Flooding of Particulate Matter into Homes during Real-World Use Thumbnail


Authors

Rohit Chakraborty

JAMES HEYDON JAMES.HEYDON@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Assistant Professor in Criminology

Martin Mayfield

Lyudmila Mihaylova



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 66.24% and PM1 by 69.49% than those of the non-use control group. Second, hourly peak averages are higher for PM2.5 by 55.34% and for PM1 by 57.09% 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.

Citation

Chakraborty, R., Heydon, J., Mayfield, M., & Mihaylova, L. (2020). Indoor Air Pollution from Residential Stoves: Examining the Flooding of Particulate Matter into Homes during Real-World Use. Atmosphere, 11(12), Article 1326. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11121326

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Dec 1, 2020
Online Publication Date Dec 7, 2020
Publication Date Dec 7, 2020
Deposit Date Dec 8, 2020
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Atmosphere
Electronic ISSN 2073-4433
Publisher MDPI
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 11
Issue 12
Article Number 1326
DOI https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11121326
Keywords Atmospheric Science; Environmental Science (miscellaneous)
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5126991
Publisher URL https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/11/12/1326

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