In-kitchen particulate matter emissions in high schools in the Kumasi metropolis, Ghana: Levels and the health risk assessment

Abstract

Institutional kitchens, such as high school kitchens in developing countries like Ghana, heavily rely on biomass fuel to provide meals for students and staff. This study investigated the levels of Particulate Matter 10 (PM10) and Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5) in 14 biomass-fueled and six liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-fueled high school kitchens within the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana. Real-time monitoring of fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM10) particulate matter was done during an occupational duration of eight hours in the school kitchens. The average levels of PM10 in the biomass-fueled and LPG-fueled school kitchens varied from 0.27 to 1.76 mg/m3 and 0.12 to 0.24 mg/m3, respectively. Average levels of PM2.5 in the biomass-fueled and LPG-fueled school kitchens ranged from 0.18 to 1.25 mg/m3 and 0.11 to 0.22 mg/m3, respectively. The average levels of PM10 and PM2.5 in the school kitchens were above the World Health Organization's (WHO) daily limits for particulate matter. A greater fraction of the particular matter measured in the school kitchens was fine particles. The study's health risk assessment suggested possible non-cancer health risks for cooks in both LPG and biomass-fueled kitchens. Expedited action is therefore needed to transition similar institutional kitchens in developing nations to cleaner cookstoves and fuels.