Low-density polyethylene smoke emissions from simulated debris piles

This data publication contains emission factors for 195 gaseous and particulate compounds measured during the burning of three mixtures of manzanita wood and low-density polyethylene plastic (LDPE, agricultural plastic) in a laboratory. The mixtures consisted of 2 kilograms (kg) of manzanita wood paired with 0, 5 or 50 grams (gm) LDPE. Mixtures were burned in a basket and smoke was collected above the fire. A total of nine fires (3 mixtures x 3 replications) were burned on Nov. 4, 2008 using a randomized complete block design. Smoke emitted from the fires was concentrated into a small stack system from which gas and particulate samples were extracted. Various filters and real-time instruments were used to collect the emissions. Subsequent analyses of filters and gases occurred in analytical laboratories at the University of California – Riverside over several months. Emission factors are expressed relative to kg of carbon dioxide produced. The data contains information on individual compounds which can be classified into alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aldehydes, ketones, cycloalkanes, cycloalkenes, monoaromatic and polyaromatic hydrocarbons in addition to elemental carbon, organic carbon, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and NOx.
Agricultural plastic is used to keep silvicultural debris piles dry prior to being burned. The piles are typically burned with the plastic in place. This practice raised the question of the impact of including LDPE in the burning piles on the subsequent smoke emissions. This laboratory study was the first study to definitively demonstrate that inclusion of LDPE did not affect the composition of the measured emissions thus lending support to the hypothesis of no impact of the practice.