science in ACTION
INNOVATIVE RESEARCH FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
www.epa.gov/research

CLEAN C00KST0VE
RESEARCH
Problem
Nearly half of the people in
the world still depend on the
burning of biomass (wood,
charcoal, crop residues, and
dung) and coal in rudimentary
cookstoves or open fires to
cook their food. Burning these
fuels pollutes the air, and
using wood and charcoal
contributes to deforestation
rates in parts of the world
where cookstoves are
currently being used.
People in developing countries
are exposed to smoke with
high concentrations of
pollutants such as fine
particles composed of toxic
compounds. Household air
pollution now ranks as the
world's 4th worst health risk,
primarily in developing
countries where cookstoves
are used, and the 2nd worst
health risk for women and
girls, causing approximately 4
million premature deaths
annually and a wide range of
illnesses.
Traditional cookstoves are a
major source of black carbon
aerosols, producing one-fifth
Cookstove research aims to reduce black carbon emissions globally and save lives.
of all black carbon emissions
globally. The black carbon
emitted from these cookstoves
not only contributes to climate
change, but also disrupts
weather patterns and
accelerates the melting of
snow and ice, which many
people rely on for drinking
water and farming.
Reducing black carbon
directly combats climate
change as it can no longer
contribute to the immediate
warming of the atmosphere.
Because of the widespread use
of traditional cookstoves
around the world, the adoption
of clean and efficient
cookstoves is an important
approach to mitigating climate
change, as well as saving
lives. Responding swiftly and
comprehensively to climate
change is crucial to preserving
the integrity and availability of
essential natural resources
such as land, food and water.
Action
At EPA's laboratories in
Research Triangle Park, NC,
scientists are evaluating
cookstove performance,
measuring the amount and
toxicity of emissions, and
studying exposure related to
cookstove use.
EPA scientists work in the lab
and field settings to identify
and characterize the various
pollutants emitted when
different types of biomass are
used to fuel traditional
cookstoves. EPA's focused
toxicology research aims to
identify the health impacts of
specific pollutants emitted
during biomass combustion
and cookstove use, looking
specifically at effects on the
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development

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pulmonary and cardiovascular
systems.
In addition, research grantees,
supported by EPA's Science
to Achieve Results (STAR)
program, are evaluating the
benefits of cleaner cookstove
methods in developing areas
around the world. The
grantees are:
•	Colorado State
University
•	University of
California at Berkeley
•	University of Colorado
at Boulder
•	University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign
•	University of Minnesota
•	Yale University
For more detailed information
about cookstove research in
progress at each of these
institutions, please visit:
http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer abstra
cts/index.cfm/fuseaction/recipie
nts.displav/rfa id/563
Impact
EPA's collaboration with
stakeholders through the
International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) has
informed the development of
guidelines, testing protocols,
and standards for cookstoves
around the globe.
ISO guidelines and standards
will inform governments,
donors, and investors
interested in supporting only
high-quality stoves and will
provide incentive for stove
developers to innovate and
improve performance.
In partnership with the Global
Alliance for Clean
Cookstoves. EPA is helping to
build a global stove testing
infrastructure. These efforts
advance the Alliance's goal to
foster the adoption of clean
cookstoves and fuels in 100
million households around the
world by 2020-
The environmental and health
impacts resulting from air,
climate and energy resource
dynamics expand beyond the
borders of any one country.
This requires engaging in
research on a global scale.
EPA is collaborating with
other countries to develop and
provide scientific information
to address the health and
climate change impacts of
cookstoves worldwide.
Pollutant Emissions and Energy Efficiency under
Controlled Conditions for Household Biomass
Cookstoves and Triplications for Metrics Useful in
Setting International Test Standards. James Jetter,
Yongxin Zhao, Kirk R. Smith, Bernine Khan,
Tiffany Yelverton, Peter DeCarlo, and Michael D.
Hays. Environmental Science &
Technology 2012 46 (19), 10827-10834
Contacts:
Jim Jetter, 919-541-4830,
i etter.i im@ena. gov
Sherri Hunt, 703-347-8042
hunt.sherri@ena.gov
http: //www .epa. gov/air-
research/clean-cookstove-
re search
December 2015
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development

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