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Combustion (burning) by-products are gases and small particles caused by the incomplete burning of fuels such as oil, gas, kerosene, wood, coal, and propane. Sources include 'combustion appliances' such as wood heaters and woodstoves, furnaces, gas ranges, fireplaces and car exhaust.
The type and amount of combustion by-product produced depends on both the fuel type and the type of combustion appliance, including how well the appliance is designed, built, installed and maintained.
Examples of combustion by-products include: carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, water vapor, particles, and unburned hydrocarbons.
Combustion by-products, including carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, can come from a number of sources including wood heaters and wood stoves, furnaces, gas ranges, generators, leaking chimneys, vehicle exhaust, unvented kerosene and gas heaters, and fireplaces. Second-hand cigarette smoke is another source. People are the main source of carbon dioxide in indoor air.
Carbon monoxide (CO) reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen. It may cause tiredness, headaches, nausea, flu-like symptoms, dizziness, impaired vision, and confusion. In people with heart disease, it can also cause chest pain. Very high levels of CO exposure can cause loss of consciousness and death.
Nitrogen dioxide can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs, in addition to shortness of breath. People with respiratory illnesses such as asthma may be even more at risk to nitrogen dioxide.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) High levels of CO2 can cause headache, dizziness and fatigue. Other substances in the air that may be at high levels may cause similar symptoms when there is poor ventilation. CO2 levels are sometimes measured to tell whether or not enough fresh air is getting in to a room or building.
Particles or particulate matter are formed when fuel is not completely burned. Tiny airborne particles can cause eye, nose and throat irritation. As well, they can lodge in the lungs causing irritation or damage to lung tissue. Some combustion particles may contain cancer-causing substances.
Control the source:
Improve ventilation:
Removal of pollutants by air cleaners:
Air cleaners can be used along with source control and improved ventilation to reduce levels of pollutants in indoor air.
Air cleaners use electrical attraction, mechanical filters or ion generation to remove particles from the air. They vary in their cost and how well they work. No air cleaners will remove all pollutants from indoor air.
If you are planning to buy some type of air cleaning system, make sure you get the device that best meets your needs.
Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors:
CO detectors are readily available and can be installed cheaply. Like smoke detectors, they need regular testing to make sure they are working properly. As well, check with a consumer-oriented publication to find a CO detector that will best meet your needs.
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