Assessment of Air Pollutants Emitted During Bio-Based Briquette Combustion Using AiRBoxSense

This study investigates air pollutants emitted during briquette combustion in indoor environments with a focus on nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), as well as particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀). Briquettes made from plastic face masks and biomass wastes are sustainable alternatives to conventional fuels; however, their combustion poses potential risks due to the release of harmful pollutants. Pollutant concentrations were measured using AiRBoxSense sensors for real-time air quality monitoring in briquettes composed of Imperata cylindrica (IC), mango peels (MP), plastic face masks (FM), and their combinations (IC:MP, IC:FM, FM:MP). Key pollutants, which are NO₂, SO₂, CO, PM₂.₅, and PM₁₀, were prioritized based on their well-documented health and environmental implications. NO₂ and SO₂ serve as combustion markers and are associated with respiratory disorders and acid deposition, respectively. CO is a toxic gas that poses significant risks in confined spaces, while PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular conditions through particulate pollution. The findings revealed that NO₂ was undetectable in IC briquettes but was present in MP, FM, and blended briquettes, with concentrations up to 0.316 ppm. SO₂ concentrations ranged from 2.10 to 12.55 ppm, CO levels spanned from 3.58 to 9.31 ppm, PM₂.₅ concentrations ranged from 0.0011 to 0.0543 mg/m³, and PM₁₀ from 0.0017 to 0.0725 mg/m³. These results highlight the potential health risks associated with briquette combustion, particularly regarding SO₂, CO, PM₂.₅, and PM₁₀ emissions. Additionally, this study demonstrates the utility of AiRBoxSense sensors in real-time monitoring of air quality and highlights the necessity for further investigation into emissions from alternative bio-based fuel sources to ensure their safety and sustainability.