Abstract
In Paraguay, 49% of the population depends on biomass (wood and charcoal) for cooking. Residential biomass burning is a major source of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) and carbon monoxide (CO) in and around the household environment. In July 2016, cross‐sectional household air pollution sampling was conducted in 80 households in rural Paraguay. Time‐integrated samples (24 hours) of PM 2.5 and continuous CO concentrations were measured in kitchens that used wood, charcoal, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), or electricity to cook. Qualitative and quantitative household‐level variables were captured using questionnaires. The average PM 2.5 concentration (μg/m3) was higher in kitchens that burned wood (741.7 ± 546.4) and charcoal (107.0 ± 68.6) than in kitchens where LPG (52.3 ± 18.9) or electricity (52.0 ± 14.8) was used. Likewise, the average CO concentration (ppm) was higher in kitchens that used wood (19.4 ± 12.6) and charcoal (7.6 ± 6.5) than in those that used LPG (0.5 ± 0.6) or electricity (0.4 ± 0.6). Multivariable linear regression was conducted to generate predictive models for indoor PM 2.5 and CO concentrations (predicted R 2 = 0.837 and 0.822, respectively). This study provides baseline indoor air quality data for Paraguay and presents a multivariate statistical approach that could be used in future research and intervention programs.
Highlights
Solid biomass, mainly wood and charcoal, accounts for approximately 43% of total annual energy consumption in Paraguay.[1]
Due to the threat it poses to public health, the World Health Organization (WHO) has established guidelines on indoor air quality exclusively related to household fuel combustion.[11]
The present study characterizes and models indoor air pollution related to biomass burning and low-emission cookstoves in response to the growing need to know the national state of indoor air quality, especially in rural areas where wood and charcoal are used by the majority of households
Summary
Mainly wood and charcoal, accounts for approximately 43% of total annual energy consumption in Paraguay.[1]. Household air pollution has been associated with an increased risk of premature death.[10] Due to the threat it poses to public health, the World Health Organization (WHO) has established guidelines on indoor air quality exclusively related to household fuel combustion.[11] These recommend that indoor PM2.5 concentration should not exceed 10 μg/m3 as an annual average, while the daily CO average should be below the threshold of 7 mg/m3, approximately 5.7 parts per million (ppm). The present study characterizes and models indoor air pollution related to biomass burning and low-emission cookstoves in response to the growing need to know the national state of indoor air quality, especially in rural areas where wood and charcoal are used by the majority of households. The measurements and analyses presented in this article provide a foundation for establishing a baseline that could be used in future studies, as well as in potential cookstove intervention projects
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