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Environmental effects from the use of traditional biomass for heating in rural areas: a case study of Anogeia, Crete

Savvakis Nikolaos, Tournaki Stavroula, Tarasi Dimitra, Kallergis Nikolaos, Daras Tryfonas, Tsoutsos Theocharis

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URI: http://purl.tuc.gr/dl/dias/F1D8B0F6-334E-4A2F-896F-6CBACA506AC3
Year 2022
Type of Item Peer-Reviewed Journal Publication
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Bibliographic Citation N. Savvakis, S. Tournaki, D. Tarasi, N. Kallergis, T. Daras, and T. Tsoutsos, “Environmental effects from the use of traditional biomass for heating in rural areas: a case study of Anogeia, Crete,” Environ. Dev. Sustain., vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 5473–5495, Apr. 2022, doi: 10.1007/s10668-021-01667-8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-021-01667-8
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Summary

In several European rural communities, woody biomass is counted among the most important energy sources for heating and cooking. However, the use of old-fashioned fireplaces may affect indoor and outdoor air quality. To depict this situation and to plan the necessary improvement interventions, a pilot action was implemented in a typical mountainous Mediterranean area (Anogeia, Crete). The action involved: (1) identification of the quantities, use and source of the woody biomass used in the community based on the analysis of data collected through a systematic survey; (2) on-site indoor and outdoor measurements of air quality (CO2, CO, NOX, PM), during winter and summer. Based on this survey, around 70% of the study area households in Anogeia using woody biomass for heating purposes in low energy efficiency systems resulted in high firewood consumption. Fifty-three per cent of occupants did not consider indoor air quality as a result of wood burning. The air quality analysis showed very high concentrations of indoor air pollutants in most old buildings with seniors using traditional heating systems. The type of main/supplementary heating system used in a dwelling depends on factors such as the size of the dwelling, year of construction, education level and age of occupants. The results also demonstrate a strong correlation between the heating season (summer/winter) and the concentrations of air pollutants in the sampling sites.

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