Citation:

Warren, N., I. George, A. Brashear, Pertti Virtaranta, E. Thompson, P. Kariher, J. Martin, M. Hays, T. Yelverton, AND A. Holder. Volatile Organic Compound Emissions from Residential Wood and Pellet Burning Appliances. International Emissions Inventory Conference, Seattle, WA, September 26 - 29, 2023.

Impact/Purpose:

Residential combustion of wood is a major source of air pollution in colder regions. In 2015 EPA introduced new regulations to further reduce the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from wood stoves. There is very little information on how new stove technology may impact the emissions of hazardous air pollutants. This research examined the impact of stove type, fuel conditions, and stove operation on the emissions of a wide variety of pollutants from wood and pellet stoves. This is an abstract submission to the 2023 International Emissions Inventory Conference in Seattle, WA on Sept. 26-29, 2023.  

Description:

Residential wood combustion (RWC) is an important source of particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other air toxics, particularly during wintertime in regions where wood burning appliances are used. VOCs released from wood combustion may undergo oxidation with atmospheric oxidants that can lead to the formation of secondary aerosols with negative impacts on regional air quality and human health. In response, EPA implemented New Source Performance Standards in 2015 to limit PM emissions from wood burning appliances. Emissions characterization of air toxics in RWC smoke has recently become a major research focus due to the lack of speciated emissions data for this source category. To improve our understanding of RWC emissions, this research study characterized speciated air toxic VOC emissions, including ethylene oxide (EtO), from a residential woodstove and a pellet stove. Emissions testing was conducted at the EPA Office of Research and Development’s Wood Stove Test Facility in Research Triangle Park, NC. VOC emissions from the woodstove and pellet stove were quantified following EPA Methods TO-15A and TO-11A. The effects of wood stove technology, fuel source, and burn rate on emissions are being evaluated. The study also evaluated whether TO-15A was suitable to measure EtO in the RWC smoke emissions from these appliances. The speciated air toxic VOC emissions profiles for RWC sources evaluated in this study will ultimately be populated into EPA’s SPECIATE database and EPA’s National Emissions Inventory. Disclaimer: Although this work was reviewed by EPA and approved for presentation, it may not necessarily reflect official Agency policy.

Record Details: