Environmental effects from the use of traditional biomass for heating in rural areas: a case study of Anogeia, CreteEnvironmental effects from the use of traditional biomass for heating in rural areas: a case study of Anogeia, Crete Peer-Reviewed Journal Publication Δημοσίευση σε Περιοδικό με Κριτές 2022-10-242022enA large part of this study was supported by the INTERREG MED programme, within the framework of the project “COMPOSE—Rural communities engaged with positive energy” co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (Project No: 1001 / MED 2014-2020). 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.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Environment, Development and Sustainability2445473–5495 Savvakis Nikolaos Σαββακης Νικολαος Tournaki Stavroula Τουρνακη Σταυρουλα Tarasi Dimitra Ταραση Δημητρα Kallergis Nikolaos Καλλεργης Νικολαος Daras Tryfonas Δαρας Τρυφωνας Tsoutsos Theocharis Τσουτσος Θεοχαρης Springer Woody biomass Indoor air quality Outdoor air quality Biomass heating Fireplaces