EPA Vic finds wood heaters top contributor to PM 2.5 air pollution

The EPA Victoria's newly released 2016 Emissions Inventory Report finds domestic wood heaters to be the largest source of human-generated particle pollution (51%) across Melbourne and Victoria. While only 5% of Melbourne households use wood heaters (PIA, page 31) they are estimated contribute half (51%) of human-generated fine particle (PM2.5) air pollution in Melbourne, more than vehicles (30%) and aircraft (7%). Across Victoria, wood heaters were estimated to be the main source of PM2.5 pollution, contributing 38%, more than fossil fuel burning (27%) and vehicle pollution (22%) [p.13]. For further analysis click here.