TITLE:
A Review of Literature on Residential Solid Fuel Burning, and Consequently the Implications of Meeting the European 2050 Low-Carbon Targets
AUTHORS:
K. L. Rainey, M. Vaganay, S. MacIntyre
KEYWORDS:
Residential Solid Fuel, Health Impacts, Developed Countries, Air Pollutants, Climate Change
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.4 No.4,
April
11,
2016
ABSTRACT:
This paper is intended to source
literature, identifying the adverse impacts on human health, from the
pollutants released from residential burning from both fossil fuel and biomass
sources. The literature sourced was ascertained through the conduction of a
systematic literature review. The author assessed peer-reviewed English language
articles, which had been published within the last five years. The studies
reviewed indicated a clear increase in the burning of residential solid fuels.
The findings suggest that residential solid fuel combustion is occurring in
developed countries, primarily as a secondary source of heating during the
winter months. The study concluded that similarly to bituminous coal, the domestic
burning of wood also had adverse effects on human health. The intentions of UK
Climate Change Act 2008 are to achieve an 80% reduction by the year 2050 in the
net carbon account from the 1990 baseline. It is recommended for countries to
meet the European 2050 targets, long-term measures need to be adopted. This
includes switching from residential solid fuel burning to heating methods such
as oil and gas, which are necessary in improving overall air quality and public
health.