Environmental & Analytical Toxicology

Effects of Residential Wood-Burning Emissions during Winter Months in a Northern San Diego County Location

Abstract

Sarah S, Jorge, Shekar V and William

Ambient particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and carbon monoxide (CO) due to domestic wood burning during the winter and summer months in the city of Escondido were investigated. The data collected from January 2000 to December 2010 from San Diego Air Pollution Control District's (SDAPCD's) collection station in Escondido were analyzed by both non-paired student's t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests (significance of 0.05 for both tests). For all three pollutants, the significant differences in levels between the winter and summer months, the significant differences in levels during the days that were celebrated as holidays and normal days, and the significant differences in levels between weekends and weekdays were noted. Additionally, the significant differences in levels between night and daytime, early evening hours and night and during burning and smoldering fires were determined for hourly PM2.5 and CO data. For all emission types, traffic patterns did not match the levels of emissions on weekdays, weekends, evenings, or daytimes. Elemental and organic carbon species taken from PM2.5 data correlated with the original PM2.5 filter data. Results of our analysis suggest that wood burning is a source of PM10, PM2.5, and CO in the area.