Phenols and aromatic hydrocarbons in chimney emissions from traditional and modern residential wood burning.

The emissions from a traditional tiled stove consisted mainly of lignin-related methoxyphenols with antioxidant properties, and 1,6-anhydroglucose from cellulose degradation. A wood stove of presently introduced energy-efficient design for residential heating and hot-water supply was shown to emit small amounts of methoxyphenols and anhydrosugars from primary wood pyrolysis. Secondary harmful components like benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons constituted a major portion of the organic emissions. It is concluded that differences in smoke composition are essential to consider in recommendations and rules for proper choices of wood burning devices.