Biomass Energy: Pollution Or Clean Energy Source?

Despite biomass being frequently depicted as a clean energy source, it is in fact a heavily polluting technology. Burning wood and other biological materials for energy emits as much or more pollution than burning fossil fuels, including coal. Biomass burning emissions are not only harmful to the ambient air but also severely impact indoor air quality, adversely affecting human health.

Biomass is a heavily polluting technology

Despite biomass being frequently depicted as a "clean" energy source, data from air permit applications and real smokestack tests demonstrate that biomass is a heavily polluting technology. Burning wood and other biological materials for energy emits as much or more pollution than burning fossil fuels, including coal. Biomass burning emissions not only pollute ambient air but also severely impact indoor air quality, adversely affecting human health.

Biomass burners commonly emit ten tons or more of acid gases and from one to five tons of organic HAPs (hazardous air pollutants) each year. These HAPs include styrene, acrolein, formaldehyde, hydrofluoric acid, and hydrochloric acid. These emissions are a function of the fuel type, combustion temperature, and pollution controls.

Research has found that burning biomass in buildings, industry, and power plants leads to more deaths than conventional coal-fired power plants. The health consequences of biomass burning include asthma exacerbations, hospitalizations for heart attack and respiratory disease, birth defects, neurodegenerative diseases, and death.

Biomass is one of the most abundant resources on Earth, with the majority of it located on land. However, only a small fraction of biomass has been effectively utilized by humans so far. The global biomass potential is estimated to be about 100 EJ/year, with the majority distributed in Asia, Africa, North America, and South America.

Burning biomass is worse for indoor air quality

Despite biomass being frequently depicted as a "clean" energy source, it is a heavily polluting technology. Burning biomass is worse for indoor air quality than outdoor air quality. Biomass burning emits as much or more pollution than burning fossil fuels, including coal. The pollutants emitted by biomass burning include organic HAPs styrene, acrolein, and formaldehyde, and the acid gases hydrofluoric acid and hydrochloric acid. Biomass burning is linked to adverse health effects such as asthma exacerbations, hospitalizations for heart attack and respiratory disease, birth defects, neurodegenerative diseases, and even death.

Biomass burning emits hazardous air pollutants

Despite biomass being frequently depicted as a "clean" energy source, it is a heavily polluting technology. Burning wood and other biological materials for energy emits as much or more pollution than burning fossil fuels, including coal. Biomass burning emissions pollute both ambient air and, more severely, indoor air quality, adversely affecting human health. The HAPs (hazardous air pollutants) emitted in the greatest quantities by burning biomass include the organic HAPs styrene, acrolein, and formaldehyde, and the acid gases hydrofluoric acid and hydrochloric acid. Biomass burners commonly emit ten tons or more of the acid gases and from one to five tons of organics each year.

Biomass burning is a significant contributor to air pollution, and the emissions from this process can have serious health impacts. Like other combustion fuels, air pollution from burning biomass can cause asthma exacerbations, hospitalizations for heart attack and respiratory disease, birth defects, neurodegenerative diseases, and death. Research has found that burning biomass in buildings, industry, and power plants leads to more deaths than conventional coal-fired power plants.

The emissions from biomass burning are influenced by various factors, including the type of fuel used, combustion temperature, and pollution controls. However, even with these considerations, biomass burners are consistently more polluting than natural gas and are similar to coal in terms of emissions. While biomass may have some advantages over certain pollutants like sulfur and mercury, it still performs worse or similarly to coal regarding particulates and nitrogen oxides.

The global biomass potential, including woody biomass, straw, energy crops, and other residues, is estimated to be about 100 EJ/year, with significant distributions in Asia, Africa, North America, and South America. This abundance of biomass resources highlights the importance of understanding the environmental and health impacts of biomass burning and the need for effective utilization and pollution control measures.

Biomass burning can cause health issues such as asthma and heart attacks

Despite biomass being frequently depicted as a "clean" energy source, it is a heavily polluting technology. Burning wood and other biological materials for energy emits as much or more pollution than burning fossil fuels, including coal. Biomass burning can cause health issues such as asthma and heart attacks.

Biomass burning emissions pollute both ambient air and, more severely, indoor air quality, adversely affecting human health. The HAPs (hazardous air pollutants) emitted in the greatest quantities by burning biomass include the organic HAPs styrene, acrolein, and formaldehyde, and the acid gases hydrofluoric acid and hydrochloric acid. Biomass burners commonly emit ten tons or more of the acid gases and from one to five tons of organics each year.

Research scientist Buonocore at the Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment (Harvard Chan C-CHANGE) wrote in a March 2022 article in The Hill that "air pollution from burning biomass can cause asthma exacerbations, hospitalizations for heart attack and respiratory disease, birth defects, neurodegenerative diseases and death, among many other health impacts." Buonocore's research found that burning biomass in buildings, industry, and power plants leads to more deaths than conventional coal-fired power plants.

Biomass burning is not only harmful to human health but also to the environment. It contributes to air pollution, which can have far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and the climate.

Biomass burning is worse for particulates and nitrogen oxides

Despite biomass being frequently depicted as "clean" energy, it is a heavily polluting technology. Burning wood and other biological materials for energy emits as much or more pollution than burning fossil fuels, including coal. Biomass burning is worse for particulates and nitrogen oxides.

Biomass burning is a significant source of hazardous air pollutants, including organic HAPs such as styrene, acrolein, and formaldehyde, as well as acid gases like hydrofluoric and hydrochloric acid. These emissions have severe adverse effects on both ambient and indoor air quality, with indoor air being more severely impacted.

The health consequences of biomass burning are significant. Research has linked biomass burning to asthma exacerbations, hospitalizations for heart attacks and respiratory disease, birth defects, neurodegenerative diseases, and even death. Buonocore, a research scientist at the Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment (Harvard Chan C-CHANGE), emphasizes the need for a systems-level approach to energy decisions that considers both climate and public health.

Biomass burning is not a sustainable or environmentally friendly alternative to conventional energy sources. While it may have some advantages over specific fossil fuels, such as lower emissions of sulfur and mercury, it is essential to recognize that biomass burning is still a significant contributor to air pollution and has detrimental impacts on human health and the environment.

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