Comments on: Particulate pollution from stoves http://polizeros.com/2007/04/15/particulate-pollution-from-stoves/ Musings on politics: anti-war, global warming, peak oil and otherwise Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:50:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Joe Hartley http://polizeros.com/2007/04/15/particulate-pollution-from-stoves/comment-page-1/#comment-132903 Joe Hartley Tue, 17 Apr 2007 05:47:22 +0000 http://polizeros.com/2007/04/15/particulate-pollution-from-stoves/#comment-132903 The data are interesting, but the graphs are hideous. Note that the EPA-certified Wood Stove is approximately 40% of the pollution of an uncertified woodstove, which is the equivalent of saying that the uncertified woodstove is about 2.5 times greater in pollution. Yet the circle looks to be about 4-5 times bigger. The problem is that the measurement is linear, whereas the area of the circle increases in proportion to the square of the radius. Thus, the graph fails to match the data. It's a common mistake, but irksome nonetheless. Linear data require linear graphs. The data are interesting, but the graphs are hideous. Note that the EPA-certified Wood Stove is approximately 40% of the pollution of an uncertified woodstove, which is the equivalent of saying that the uncertified woodstove is about 2.5 times greater in pollution. Yet the circle looks to be about 4-5 times bigger.

The problem is that the measurement is linear, whereas the area of the circle increases in proportion to the square of the radius. Thus, the graph fails to match the data. It’s a common mistake, but irksome nonetheless. Linear data require linear graphs.

]]> By: dj http://polizeros.com/2007/04/15/particulate-pollution-from-stoves/comment-page-1/#comment-132815 dj Sun, 15 Apr 2007 05:49:24 +0000 http://polizeros.com/2007/04/15/particulate-pollution-from-stoves/#comment-132815 My understanding, though, is that partculate pollution is temporary-- it comes down to earth in precipitation, returning to the soil as carbon. In a densely populated area, it may not come down as fast as it goes up, causing serious pollution problems. (You can see this effect from a diesel bus!) In a rural area (where most wood is grown), is there an averse effect on the environment? In addition, the net greenhouse gases are much less for wood heat than for oil or gas, some claim there is even a net reduction, because trees absorb CO2. So there's an upside and a downside to each. Once again, there may be no right answer for every situation. My understanding, though, is that partculate pollution is temporary– it comes down to earth in precipitation, returning to the soil as carbon. In a densely populated area, it may not come down as fast as it goes up, causing serious pollution problems. (You can see this effect from a diesel bus!) In a rural area (where most wood is grown), is there an averse effect on the environment?

In addition, the net greenhouse gases are much less for wood heat than for oil or gas, some claim there is even a net reduction, because trees absorb CO2. So there’s an upside and a downside to each. Once again, there may be no right answer for every situation.

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