Sources of household air pollution and their association with fine particulate matter in low-income urban homes in India.

Abstract

IntroductionHousehold air pollution (HAP) is poorly characterized in low-income urban Indian communities.Materials and MethodsA questionnaire assessing sources of HAP and 24-hour household concentrations of particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5) were collected in a sample of low-income homes in Pune, India.ResultsIn 166 homes, the median 24-hour average concentration of PM2.5 was 167 µg/m3 (IQR: 106 – 294). Although kerosene and wood use were highly prevalent (22% and 25% of homes, respectively), primarily as secondary fuel sources, high PM2.5 concentrations were also found in 95 (57%) homes reporting LPG use alone (mean 141 µg/m3; IQR: 92 – 209). In adjusted linear regression, log PM2.5 concentration was positively associated with wood cooking fuel (GMR 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1 – 2.0), mosquito coils (GMR 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1 – 2.1), and winter season (GMR 1.7, 95% CI: 1.4 – 2.2). Households in the highest quartile of exposure were positively associated with wood cooking fuel (OR 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1 – 1.5), incense (OR 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0 – 1.3), mosquito coils (OR 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1 – 1.6), and winter season (OR 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1 – 1.4).DiscussionWe observed high concentrations of PM2.5 and identified associated determinants in urban Indian homes.