Environmental effects from the use of traditional biomass for heating in rural areas: a case study of Anogeia, Crete

In several European rural communities, woody biomass is counted among the most important energy sources for heating and cooking. However, use of old-fashioned fireplaces may affect indoor outdoor air quality. To depict this situation to plan necessary improvement interventions, a pilot action was implemented in typical mountainous Mediterranean area (Anogeia, Crete). The involved: (1) identification quantities, source used community based on analysis data collected through systematic survey; (2) on-site measurements quality (CO2, CO, NOX, PM), during winter summer. Based survey, around 70% study households Anogeia using purposes low efficiency systems resulted high firewood consumption. Fifty-three per cent occupants did not consider as result wood burning. showed very concentrations pollutants old buildings with seniors traditional systems. type main/supplementary system dwelling depends factors such size dwelling, year construction, education level age occupants. results also demonstrate strong correlation between season (summer/winter) sampling sites.