U.S. EPA Wood Pellet Research Project
What are wood pellet production facilities?
![Illustration of the transition from trees, to lumber, to wood pellets.](/system/files/styles/medium/private/images/2023-05/Wood%20Pellet.jpg?itok=mMlALeNH)
Wood pellet production facilities process wood by chipping, drying, grinding, and forming wood pellets, which are then bagged, shipped, and burned to create electricity and to heat homes using pellet stoves in markets across the world.
Why are we doing this project?
The wood pellet industry has grown substantially over the last decade and is likely to continue to expand. The southeastern U.S. is a major producer of wood pellets, and some communities have raised concerns about wood pellet production facilities’ impacts on community members’ health and wellbeing. There is a need to better understand the health and environmental impacts of wood pellet facilities and to listen to community members’ experiences of living near wood pellet facilities.
What are the goals of this project?
The goals are to protect human health and the environment by:
- Assessing possible air, water, and community health impacts of wood pellet production facilities in the southeastern U.S.
- Identifying and/or filling information gaps that could be useful for future decision making about the creation or expansion of wood pellet production facilities.
What are the planned project activities?
- Mapping and environmental justice assessment: Map sites of wood pellet facilities and characterize communities close to facilities.
- Exposures: Measure or model exposures to potential air pollutants.
- Health effects: Use historical health records to compare changes in communities’ health before and after existing facilities began operation.
- Perceived impacts: Interview community members about how wood pellet facilities affect their lives.
- Forest loss and water quality: Measure effects of forest loss from wood pellet sourcing on local water quality and quantity.
Who will work on this project?
Researchers in the U.S. EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) are working in collaboration with partners in EPA’s Region 4 on this research effort. The team includes epidemiologists, geographic information specialists, air and water quality scientists, and public health researchers.
If you have additional questions, contact us.