Anthracite Stove Emissions and Air Quality Fact Sheet

Anthracite is a low sulfur coal and is capable of meeting even the tough, new sulfur dioxide emission standards of the 1990 Clean Air Act.

Anthracite sulfur emissions are lower than some grades of fuel oil.

The burning of anthracite does not produce the hydrocarbon emissions or creosote buildups associated with wood burning stoves.

Smoke emissions associated with wood burners are due in part to the inherent chemical and physical properties of wood.  For example, the shape of logs may not promote good air distributions in the fire, causing incomplete combustion and smoke or soot formation.  Anthracite’s inherent chemistry along with its production and quality control methods will create an even fuel bed with proper air distribution for a clean and complete burn.  This is evidenced by the short, blue, smokeless flame that is the trademark of anthracite heat.

The use of ELECTRICITY in home heating greatly contributes to the acid rain problem due to the use of bituminous coal and high sulfur fuel oil in the generation of power.

Protecting the environment is a major concern to the anthracite producers.  Their families and their employees live in the area they work.  Vast amounts of time and money are spent backfilling, landscaping and reforesting mining areas.  Today’s mining practices also include creating and protecting wetlands for our wildlife.