The impact of residential wood combustion on indoor particulate matter levels

This study concentrates on indoor air pollution, specifically particulate matter, as a result of woodburning in the home. Three single-family residences in Richmond, Indiana, equipped with identical airtight woodburning stoves and using a controlled wood supply, were monitored for a 49-day period in 1987. Particluate matter samples were collected during periods of active wood combustion and periods absent of wood combustion using low-volume samplers. Significant differences were found in two of the three houses when wood combustion and non-wood combustion periods were compared. No relationship was found between particle levels and time of day, ambient air temperature, pounds of wood burned, refueling duration or refueling frequency. It was concluded that woodburning can affect the quality of indoor air in particulate matter levels.