Air Pollution in Urban Slums: Summary of research work in Bengaluru, India

Abstract

Air Pollution in Urban Slums: Summary of research work in Bengaluru, IndiaMeghaThakur1, Prafulla Shriyan1, Giridhara R Babu11Indian Institute of Public Health Hyderabad- Bengaluru CampusAbstractBackground: Air pollution is a leading cause of morbidity, especially in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). In India, 2 million premature deaths are attributed to exposure to ambient and indoor air pollution annually. People residing in slums are particularly vulnerable to these health and environmental risks. We aimed to assess the association between low birth weight (LBW) and exposure to particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO) during pregnancy. Also, we aimed to reduce the levels of indoor air pollution (IAP) and improve the respiratory health of women and children by introducing an improved cookstove.Methods: APPLE, a prospective cohort study of 516 pregnant women aged 18-45 years, was conducted in two big slums in Bangalore. Information was collected on socio-demographic and obstetric history. Exposures to PM2.5, PM10, and CO during pregnancy was measured using low-cost monitors. Another study, EXHALE, was conducted in slums among households using firewood for cooking. Information from women was collected on socio-demographics, cooking habits, respiratory and eye symptoms, and headache using a pre-structured questionnaire. Spirometry was performed to assess the lung function. Results: Our preliminary findings from APPLE did not find any association between LBW and exposure to PM2.5, PM10 and CO during pregnancy after adjusting for potential confounders. Data for EXHALE are still being entered, results will be shared later.Conclusion: Although cleaner fuels are available, some groups continue using solid fuels because of financial constraints, absence of infrastructure, and lack of awareness. Some two billion people in LMICs are expected to remain dependent on biomass fuel over the next 25 years. More research is needed in understanding the cooking dynamics in urban slums.