Impacts of stove/fuel use and outdoor air pollution on chemical composition of household particulate matter

摘要

Biomass combustion for cooking and heating releases particulate matter (PM_(2.5)) thatcontributes to household air pollution. Fuel and stove types affect the chemical compositionof household PM, as does infiltration of outdoor PM. Characterization ofthese impacts can inform future exposure assessments and epidemiologic studies,but is currently limited. In this study, we measured chemical components of PM_(2.5)(water-soluble organic matter [WSOM], ions, black carbon, elements, organic tracers)in rural Chinese households using traditional biomass stoves, semi-gasifier stoveswith pelletized biomass, and/or non-biomass stoves. We distinguished householdsusing one stove type (traditional, semi-gasifier, or LPG/electric) from those usingmultiple stoves/fuels. WSOM concentrations were higher in households using onlysemi-gasifier or traditional stoves (31%-33%) than in those with exclusive LPG/electricstove (13%) or mixed stove use (12%-22%). Inorganic ions comprised 14% ofPM in exclusive LPG/electric households, compared to 1%-5% of PM in householdsusing biomass. Total PAH content was much higher in households that used traditionalstoves (0.8-2.8 mg/g PM) compared to those that did not (0.1-0.3 mg/g PM).Source apportionment revealed that biomass burning comprised 27%-84% of PM_(2.5)in households using biomass. In all samples, identified outdoor sources (vehicles,dust, coal combustion, secondary aerosol) contributed 10%-20% of household PM_(2.5).