Household air pollution from, and fuel efficiency of, different coal types following local cooking practices in Xuanwei, China
Zhang, Yongliang; Meliefste, Kees; Hu, Wei; Li, Jihua; Xu, Jun; Ning, Baofu; Yang, Kaiyun; Chen, Ying; Liu, Dingyu; Wong, Jason; Rahman, Mohammad; Rothman, Nathaniel; Huang, Yunchao; Cassee, Flemming; Vermeulen, Roel; Lan, Qing; Downward, George S
(2021) Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987), volume 290, pp. 1 - 9
(Article)
Abstract
The domestic combustion of smoky (bituminous) coal in the Chinese counties of Xuanwei and Fuyuan, are responsible for some of the highest rates of lung cancer in the world. Cancer rates vary between coal producing regions (deposits) in the area, with coals from Laibin exhibiting particularly high risks and smokeless
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(anthracite) coal exhibiting lower risks. However, little information is available on the specific burning characteristics of coals from throughout the area. We conducted an extensive controlled burning experiment using coal from multiple deposits in either a traditional firepit or ventilated stove, accompanied by a detailed examination of time-weighted and real-time size-aggregated particle concentrations. Smoky coal caused higher particle concentrations of all sizes than smokeless coal, with variations observed by geological source. Virtually all particle emissions were in the PM2.5 fraction (98% - mass based), and 75% and 46% were in the PM1 and PM0.3 fraction respectively. Real-time concentrations of PM1 and PM0.1 peaked after coal was added and declined afterwards. Ventilation reduced particle concentrations by up to 15-fold and increased the coal burning rate by 1.9-fold. These findings may provide valuable insight for reducing exposure and adverse health effects associated with domestic coal combustion.
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Keywords: Coal, Fuel efficiency, Household air pollution, Water boiling test, Toxicology, Pollution, Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
ISSN: 0269-7491
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Note: Funding Information: This project was supported by the National Institutes of Health (HHSN261201400122P) intramural research program. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.The authors would like to acknowledge the support provided by China Scholarship Council (CSC) during the PhD period of Yongliang Zhang in Utrecht University-Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences. Funding Information: The authors would like to acknowledge the support provided by China Scholarship Council (CSC) during the PhD period of Yongliang Zhang in Utrecht University-Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences. Funding Information: This project was supported by the National Institutes of Health ( HHSN261201400122P ) intramural research program. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 The Authors
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