Dataset Information

Air pollution dispersion from biomass stoves to neighboring homes in Mirpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Indoor air pollution, including fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and carbon monoxide (CO), is a major risk factor for pneumonia and other respiratory diseases. Biomass-burning cookstoves are major contributors to PM_2.5 and CO concentrations. However, high concentrations of PM_2.5 (>?1000??g/m³) have been observed in homes in Dhaka, Bangladesh that do not burn biomass. We described dispersion of PM_2.5 and CO from biomass burning into nearby homes in a low-income urban area of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Methods

We recruited 10 clusters of homes, each with one biomass-burning (index) home, and 3-4 neighboring homes that used cleaner fuels with no other major sources of PM_2.5 or CO. We administered a questionnaire and recorded physical features of all homes. Over 24?h, we recorded PM_2.5 and CO concentrations inside each home, near each stove, and outside one neighbor home per cluster. During 8 of these 24?h, we conducted observations for pollutant-generating activities such as cooking. For each monitor, we calculated geometric mean PM_2.5 concentrations at 5-6?am (baseline), during biomass burning times, during non-cooking times, and over 24?h. We used linear regressions to describe associations between monitor location and PM_2.5 and CO concentrations.

Results

We recruited a total of 44 homes across the 10 clusters. Geometric mean PM_2.5 and CO concentrations for all monitors were lowest at baseline and highest during biomass burning. During biomass burning, linear regression showed a decreasing trend of geometric mean PM_2.5 and CO concentrations from the biomass stove (326.3??g/m³, 12.3?ppm), to index home (322.7??g/m³, 11.2?ppm), neighbor homes sharing a wall with the index home (278.4??g/m³, 3.6?ppm), outdoors (154.2??g/m³, 0.7?ppm), then neighbor homes that do not share a wall with the index home (83.1??g/m³,0.2?ppm) (p?=?0.03 for PM_2.5, p?=?0.006 for CO).

Conclusion

Biomass burning in one home can be a source of indoor air pollution for several homes. The impact of biomass burning on PM_2.5 or CO is greatest in homes that share a wall with the biomass-burning home. Eliminating biomass burning in one home may improve air quality for several households in a community.

SUBMITTER: Weaver AM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6480710 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Air pollution dispersion from biomass stoves to neighboring homes in Mirpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Weaver Anne M AM Gurley Emily S ES Crabtree-Ide Christina C Salje Henrik H Yoo Eun-Hye EH Mu Lina L Akter Nasrin N Ram Pavani K PK

BMC public health 20190423 1

<h4>Background</h4>Indoor air pollution, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and carbon monoxide (CO), is a major risk factor for pneumonia and other respiratory diseases. Biomass-burning cookstoves are major contributors to PM2.5 and CO concentrations. However, high concentrations of PM2.5 (> 1000 μg/m3) have been observed in homes in Dhaka, Bangladesh that do not burn biomass. We described dispersion of PM2.5 and CO from biomass burn ...[more]

PMID: 31014315

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Dataset Information

Air pollution dispersion from biomass stoves to neighboring homes in Mirpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Air pollution dispersion from biomass stoves to neighboring homes in Mirpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

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