Effects of residential wood combustion on indoor air quality: a case study in Waterbury, Vermont.

An indoor/outdoor monitoring study was conducted during January to March 1982 in Waterbury, Vermont. Respirable particle measurements were made inside and outside 24 homes (all occupants were nonsmokers), 19 with wood-burning appliances and 5 without. Data were also obtained on seasonal air exchange rate, heating fuel consumption, and relevant home characteristics. Findings indicate that indoor particle levels are consistently higher than outdoor values regardless of heating fuel type. No statistical difference was observed between 24 hour average respirable particle levels in wood and non wood burning homes. A linear regression model, incorporating information on air exchange rate, house volume, fuel use, and outdoor levels, accounted for about 20 per cent of the variance in indoor particle concentrations.