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An important source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in residential areas, particularly in the winter season, is the burning process when wood is used for domestic heating. The target of this study was to investigate the particle-phase PAH composition of ambient samples in order to assess the influence of wood combustion on air quality in residential areas. PM10 samples (particulate matter <10 μm) were collected during two winter seasons at two rural residential areas near Stuttgart in Germany. Samples were extracted using toluene in an ultrasonic bath and subsequently analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Twenty-one PAH compounds were detected and quantified. The PAH fingerprints of different wood combustion emissions were found in significant amounts in ambient samples and high correlations between total PAHs and other wood smoke tracers were found, indicating the dominant influence of wood combustion on air quality in residential areas. Carcinogenic PAHs were detected in high concentrations and contributed 49% of the total PAHs in the ambient air. To assess the health risk, we investigated the exposure profile of individual PAHs. The findings suggest that attention should be focused on using the best combustion technology available to reduce emissions from wood-fired heating during the winter in residential areas.

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An important source of inhalable particles in residential areas, particularly in the winter season, is the biomass combustion when wood is used for domestic heating. This is a continuation of our previous investigation about wood smoke pollution in residential areas of southern Germany (Bari et al., 2009). The target of this study was to characterise ambient levels of criteria pollutants, their risk assessment and find out influence of hardwood combustion on local air quality. Particle-phase PM 10 samples were collected at a residential site Dettenhausen near Stuttgart during 2005/06 and winter 2009. Samples were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other wood smoke tracer compounds (e.g., levoglucosan, methoxyphenols). High concentrations of PM 10 and total PAHs were found during winter 2009 like winter 2005/06. Carcinogenic PAHs were detected in high concentrations and contributed 44% of the total PAHs in the ambient air. The significant concentrations of hardwood markers (i.e., syringaldehyde, acetosyringone) found in the ambient air suggest that the influence of hardwood combustion on ambient air quality is significant. Based on the emission ratio of hardwood markers and PM 10 , it can be concluded that in the investigated residential site about 57% of ambient PM 10 pollution can be attributed to hardwood combustion for winter heating.

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