Domestic Wood Burning in Norway - PM2.5 Knowledge, Attitudes and Incentives

Master's thesis in City and regional planningParticulate matter 2,5 are very small chemical particles that make up smoke emissions from combustion. These particles result from combustion, (traffic engines, industry, wood burning, etc.) PM2.5 means the size of the particle is less than 2.5 micrometres in size (a human hair is approximately 70 micrometres(US EPA, 2016). Under exposure, humans breath them deep into lungs and they can transmit into the blood stream because of their extreme small size(US EPA, 2016). Years of well documented research have demonstrated PM2.5 increases mortality risk associated with heart and lung disease, nervous system function, low birth weight, among others (Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 2013). This research will begin with a review of documented PM2.5 health risk followed by a closer look at Norway’s wood oven use, policy and monitoring. As part of this research a questionnaire was distributed to the public to identify how cognizant users are of pollution, best burning practices, perception of health risk, and what could motivate them to change their burning habits. This work culminates in a discussion of the questionnaire results and examines how behavioural economic theory can aim planning strategies and measures at improving pm2.5 emissions considering the respondents attitudes and knowledge