Different Fuel Types and Heating Approaches Impact on the Indoor Air Quality of Rural Houses in Northern China

Traditional heating systems, such as kangs (bed-stoves), radiators driven by mini-stove, and burning caves have been still widely used to tide over the long cold winter in most rural areas of northern China. In this paper, emissions and components of exhausting smoke from biomass burning during the heating and cooking period in rural areas, which have been measured. In addition, the impacts of the CO and PM2.5 concentration on the air pollution inside and outside the rural house has been studied and discussed. Different combustion efficiency of various fuels and energy consumption modes impact on the indoor air quality of rural houses are very significant. CO, NOx and other inhalable particles emission from rural areas surrounding the urban areas could not be overlooked. A low-cost way to improve indoor living environment and outdoor ecological environment to local conditions must be sought. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.