A recent scientific study, presented in the journal Nature, has revealed that burning so-called “smokeless” or low-smoke fuels can introduce novel threats to atmospheric pollution. Although marketed as a replacement for coal and peat, the emissions from this type of fuel carry dangerous ultrafine particulate matter.
This finding emerged serendipitously during trials of advanced eco-stoves. As anticipated, the alternative fuels produced lower levels of larger solid particles. What was unexpected, however, was the discovery of a substantial amount of minuscule, ultrafine particles within the smoke—particles so small they are smaller than the wavelength of light and capable of reaching the deepest parts of the lungs.
To validate the reliability of these results, nearly two months of continuous testing were required. It was determined that burning just one kilogram of low-smoke fuel releases two to three times more ultrafine particles than the combustion of wood or coal. These emissions primarily consist of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a group that includes known carcinogens.
This discovery prompted experts to re-examine historical measurement data previously gathered in Dublin and the small town of Birr in Ireland. The original measurements were taken during winter evenings when residents were actively using stoves and fireplaces. The subsequent analysis showed that the concentration of these ultrafine particles in those locations surpassed the air pollution levels recorded in massive urban centers like Beijing and Shanghai, which are notorious for such issues.
The trend in Dublin proved particularly illustrative: since 2021, the levels of these particles in the city have markedly increased, coinciding directly with the widespread adoption of low-smoke fuels by households.
While the sale of domestic coal has been prohibited in England since 2020 and in Ireland since 2022, low-smoke fuel remains commercially available. The inherent danger lies in the size of these ultrafine particles, which allows them to penetrate deeply into pulmonary tissue, significantly escalating the potential harm to human health.
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