BIOMASS COMBUSTION AS AN ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCE IN CANADA: POLICY PERSPECTIVES RELATED TO THE EMISSION OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS

摘要

Due to predictions of increased technological and economical feasibility of commercial biomass energy usernin Canada over the next five to ten years, this paper attempts to address the public health and environmentalrnissues from a policy perspective. Overall, the analysis of complex mixtures of similar compounds using thernenergy specific index, a measure of mass of pollutant emitted per unit of energy produced, multiplied by arntoxic equivalency factor appears to be a reasonable and promising tool to assess energy options. This paperrnsuggests that commercial-scale biomass combustion, as an alternative energy source to reduce carbonrndioxide emissions, should be carefully assessed since increased emission levels of toxic compounds such asrnpolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons compared to fossil fuel combustion could result. In conclusion, morernresearch and development of biomass combustion technology in Canada and around the world with anrnemphasis on the control of toxic emissions is necessary to ensure that a solution to CO_2 emission levelrnreduction does not result in the increased production of other toxic air pollution emissions.