1. Household air pollution from, and fuel efficiency of, different coal types following local cooking practices in Xuanwei, China.
- Author
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Zhang, Yongliang, Meliefste, Kees, Hu, Wei, Li, Jihua, Xu, Jun, Ning, Baofu, Yang, Kaiyun, Chen, Ying, Liu, Dingyu, Wong, Jason, Rahman, Mohammad, Rothman, Nathaniel, Huang, Yunchao, Cassee, Flemming, Vermeulen, Roel, Lan, Qing, and Downward, George S.
- Subjects
ENERGY consumption ,COAL ,PRESCRIBED burning ,COAL combustion ,PARTICULATE matter ,EMISSION inventories ,INDOOR air pollution - Abstract
The domestic combustion of smoky (bituminous) coal in the Chinese counties of Xuanwei and Fuyuan, are responsible for some of the highest rates of lung cancer in the world. Cancer rates vary between coal producing regions (deposits) in the area, with coals from Laibin exhibiting particularly high risks and smokeless (anthracite) coal exhibiting lower risks. However, little information is available on the specific burning characteristics of coals from throughout the area. We conducted an extensive controlled burning experiment using coal from multiple deposits in either a traditional firepit or ventilated stove, accompanied by a detailed examination of time-weighted and real-time size-aggregated particle concentrations. Smoky coal caused higher particle concentrations of all sizes than smokeless coal, with variations observed by geological source. Virtually all particle emissions were in the PM 2.5 fraction (98% - mass based), and 75% and 46% were in the PM 1 and PM 0.3 fraction respectively. Real-time concentrations of PM 1 and PM 0.1 peaked after coal was added and declined afterwards. Ventilation reduced particle concentrations by up to 15-fold and increased the coal burning rate by 1.9-fold. These findings may provide valuable insight for reducing exposure and adverse health effects associated with domestic coal combustion. [Display omitted] • Both historical (from 1980s) and recent (2010–2017) coal samples were tested. • Particle size-distribution and stove/fuel efficiencies were reported. • Particle emission levels varied by coal geological sources. • Stove improvements reduced indoor particle emissions of all sizes from coal. • Stove improvements promoted cooking efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
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