Primary particulate matter emissions and the Finnish climate strategy

There is an increasing need for the assessment of particulate matter (PM) emissions of different particle sizes because of the adverse health effects of the fine size fractions. Combustion of fuels is an important source of fine primary particles and an important factor in strategies to combat climate change. In this study, a calculation system was developed for primary PM emissions from stationary combustion and their control. It was used to calculate present (1990 and 1995) and future (2010) primary PM emissions for three energy scenarios. Large energy production units already utilize very efficient particle removal equipment. Less extensive use of solid fossil fuels in studied low-CO2 scenarios does not substantially reduce primary PM emissions. Domestic wood combustion, where no control technologies are in use, constitutes the major part of combustion-based primary PM emissions both at present and in the future, especially for the fine particle fractions. The results for 1995 were considerably higher than earlier international estimates.