WWCA

Size-resolved sampling and analytical methods for identification of wood and waste combustion sources of ambient aerosols generated by domestic heating

Burning of solid fuels used for domestic energy supply poses serious health risks. This is also true for wood, which is generally considered a clean and green energy source. The health risks increase further when wood is mixed with household waste such as plastics, furniture parts, textiles, and other synthetic materials.

The project focuses on the monitoring and characterization of aerosol emission from domestic solid fuel combustion. The measurements target the most harmful components such as:

PM2.5 – Fine particulate matter with a diameter less than 2.5 µm. These particles pose serious health risks regardless of their chemical composition, as they can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream.
Black Carbon (BC) – A component of PM2.5, consisting of ultrafine soot particles (typically <0.1 µm). Due to their small size and large reactive surface area, BC particles can reach the alveolar regions of the lungs and contribute to inflammation, oxidative stress, and cardiopulmonary diseases.
Organic Carbon (OC) – Emitted during incomplete combustion of solid fuels, OC includes a wide range of organic compounds. Among these are toxic and carcinogenic substances such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and dioxins, which can adsorb onto particle surfaces and enhance health risks.
Toxic elements – Combustion of treated wood, waste, and other materials can release heavy metals such as Cr, Ni, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb, which are associated with neurotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and organ damage. Additionally, organic chlorine compounds (e.g., chlorobenzenes, chlorophenols, dioxins, PCBs) may form when chlorine-containing materials are burned, contributing to long-term environmental and health hazards.

The project emphasizes the importance of the size distribution of the particulate matter. Smaller particles can reach deeper regions of the lung and can trigger oxidative stress, inflammation and cell damage irrespective of their chemical composition. The project aims to collect size-resolved particle samples and analyze the chemical composition of the size fractions. Continuous SMPS monitoring provides information about the size distribution of the particles, and how they change in the atmosphere following the emission.

The project is co-financed by the Slovenian Research Agency (Aris) and the Hungarian National Research, Development and Innovation Office (NKFIH). The fund enables the detection of harmful chemicals in the air resulting from illegal waste incineration and the identification of their source.

Consortium:

HUN-REN Centre for Energy Research, coordinator
Aerosol d.o.o., collaborator.

Value of the project: 208,660 EUR