The report summarizes the assessment of air emissions from the residential combustion of anthracite, bituminous, and lignite coals, with emphasis on bituminous coals. Approximately 2.6 million metric tons of coal were burned as a primary source of heat in an estimated 493,018 housing units in 1974. Geographical distribution of coal-fired heating devices is related to the location of major coal fields. Stoker-fed boilers and warm-air furnaces are currently being marketed for burning coal as a primary source of heat in residential structures; however, hand-fed units and room heaters also exist. Emissions from these units include particulates, SOx, NOx, CO, hydrocarbons, polycyclic organic material (POM), and trace elements. The severities of these emissions were assessed for an average source. Emissions of POMs were found to have a severity of 2.6 for combustion of bituminous coal; the remaining emissions had severities of 0.05 or less. A special assessment of the environmental impact of an array of 100 houses burning coal indicates the potential for a 30-fold increase in the severities of associated emissions.

Prepared for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Washington, D.C.; Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, N.C. Performing organization: Monsanto Research Corporation, Dayton, Ohio. "Report no. EPA-600/2-79-019a." "PB-295 649." Includes bibliographical references (pages 83-90). Includes bibliographical references. Contract Number: Contract no. 68-02-1874.