Emission of oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from biomass pellet burning in a modern burner for cooking in China

► Oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons emitted from biomass pellets were measured for the first time. ► Two types of pellets and two combustion modes in a modern pellet burner were tested. ► Emission factors of oPAHs for pellets were compared with those for raw biomass fuels burned in a traditional cooking stove. ► Potential emission reduction with efficient deployment of pellets was discussed.