Wood burning in fireplaces and wood/solid fuel stoves is used as the main
source of heating in developing countries and as a secondary heating source in
countries with a cold winter climate. The burning of fossil fuel, solid fuel and biomass
has been recognized as an important source of airborne PAHs as it releases
a wide range of air pollutants, including PAHs, which are emitted to the indoor
atmosphere in unvented or flueless combustion and also to the outdoor air (34).
Even in airtight stoves with a flue, elevated indoor levels of PAHs can result from
intrusion of outdoor air and/or leakage from wood-burning appliances