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

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  • Nikolaos Savvakis

    (Technical University of Crete, TUC Campus)

  • Stavroula Tournaki

    (Technical University of Crete, TUC Campus)

  • Dimitra Tarasi

    (Technical University of Crete, TUC Campus)

  • Nikos Kallergis

    (Technical University of Crete, TUC Campus)

  • Tryfon Daras

    (Technical University of Crete, TUC Campus)

  • Theocharis Tsoutsos

    (Technical University of Crete, TUC Campus)

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Nikolaos Savvakis & Stavroula Tournaki & Dimitra Tarasi & Nikos Kallergis & Tryfon Daras & Theocharis Tsoutsos, 2022. "Environmental effects from the use of traditional biomass for heating in rural areas: a case study of Anogeia, Crete," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(4), pages 5473-5495, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:24:y:2022:i:4:d:10.1007_s10668-021-01667-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-021-01667-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pravin R. Sonarkar & Ashish S. Chaurasia, 2019. "Thermal performance of three improved biomass-fired cookstoves using fuel wood, wood pellets and coconut shell," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 1429-1449, June.
    2. Sneha Gautam & Ajay Pillarisetti & Ankit Yadav & Deepak Singh & Narendra Arora & Kirk Smith, 2019. "Daily average exposures to carbon monoxide from combustion of biomass fuels in rural households of Haryana, India," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 21(5), pages 2567-2575, October.
    3. Koukios, E.G. & Pyrgiotis, L.A. & Tsoutsos, T.D. & Christensen, M.N., 1991. "The role of bioenergy in the energy system of Aperathou village," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 16(9), pages 1213-1214.
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