TOXICITY OF BIOMASS COMBUSTION GENERATED ULTRAFINE PARTICLES: NOTES ON THE TOBICUP PROJECT

Abstract

This work summarises the main findings of the TOBICUP (Toxicity of BIomass Combustion generated Ultrafine Particles) project. The project has investigated the physio-chemical features and toxicological response of ultrafine particles (UFPs) from biomass-fuelled domestic stoves. Experimental determinations consider both UFP samples collected at the stack of wood log and pellet stoves and environmental samples collected at a site where biomass burning for domestic heating is the main source of airborne UFPs. Results for the stack samples show that combustion in pellet stoves is more complete, producing UFPs that determine toxicological responses per unit input energy less relevant compared with wood log stoves. Results for the environmental samples show a larger contribution from domestic heating to airborne UFPs in wintertime, traced by the higher content of levoglucosan and potassium than in summertime. However, toxicological response are influenced by the different reactivity of the atmosphere at seasonal level: in wintertime, genotoxic effects prevail due to the larger concentration of PAH and levoglucosan; in summertime, pro-inflammatory effects are more relevant due to the higher degree of oxidation of UFPs, favoured by the stronger photochemical processes occurring in the warm season.