Characterizing Particulate Matter Exfiltration Estimates for Alternative Cookstoves in a Village-Like Household in Rural Nepal

Abstract

Alternative stoves are an intervention option to reduce household air pollution. The amount of air pollution exiting homes when alternative stoves are utilized is not known. In this paper, particulate matter exfiltration estimates are presented for four types of alternative stoves within a village-like home, which was built to reflect the use of local materials and common size, in rural Nepal. Four alternative stoves with chimneys were examined, which included an alternative mud brick stove, original Envirofit G3355 model, manufacture altered Envirofit G3355, and locally altered Envirofit G3355. Multiple linear regression was utilized to determine estimates of PM2.5 exfiltration. Overall exfiltration fraction average (converted to a percent) for the four stoves were: alternative mud brick stove with chimney 56%, original Envirofit G3355 model with chimney 87%, manufacture altered Envirofit G3355 model with chimney 69%, and locally altered Envirofit G3355 model with chimney 69%. Alternative cookstoves resulted in higher overall average exfiltration due to direct and indirect ventilation relative to traditional, mud-based stoves. This contrast emphasizes the need for an improved understanding of the climate and health implications that are believed to come from implementing alternative stoves on a large scale and the resultant shift of exposure burden from indoors to outdoors.

Household Air Pollution from Burning Biomass for Cooking and Heating – A Review of Health Hazards and Intervention Programs

“…A number of tests were performed for each of the alternative cook stoves and they were all conducted in Spring 2012 i.e. the dry season of the year with high outdoor temperature and low humidity [6]. Mud house built in study area in Nepal [6] In Tirupur, South India, real time monitoring in 80 households was conducted with DustTrack Aerosol Monitor Model 8520 (TSI Inc, Shoreview, MN, USA) for PM2.5 particles at flow rate of 1.7 L/min.…”

“…the dry season of the year with high outdoor temperature and low humidity [6]. Mud house built in study area in Nepal [6] In Tirupur, South India, real time monitoring in 80 households was conducted with DustTrack Aerosol Monitor Model 8520 (TSI Inc, Shoreview, MN, USA) for PM2.5 particles at flow rate of 1.7 L/min. The CO levels were measured using Draeger pump (Model 21/31) which measured CO from lower limit of detection of 2.47 mg/m 3 up to 74 mg/m 3 [14].…”

“…increasing the exposure [5]. While most indoor air pollutants are a result of incomplete combustion, combustion conditions such as temperature, moisture content of fuel, and air flow within the household affect the diffusion of pollutants [6,7].…”

“…Biomass is thus one of the major causes of poor household air quality. It has resulted in several health impacts to the people -such as lung cancer, acute lower respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cataracts, cardiovascular conditions, tuberculosis, and adverse perinatal health conditions [3,9,6]. Estimates point that about 4 to 5% of the total global death and disability adjusted life years; the number of years lost due to ill health, from respiratory conditions is associated with solid fuel use [10].…”

“…5 24 hours 35 µg/m 3 PM10 24 hours 150 µg/m 3 WHO limits PM2. 5 24 hours 25 µg/m 3 PM10 24 hours 50 µg/m 3 , and Envirofit G3355 model in Nepal [6] The exposure to biomass air depends on a number of factors such as emission source (stove and fuel), dispersion of pollutants (characteristics of house and ventilation), and behavior of exposure [5]. Estimates suggest that more than 80% of PM exposure takes place indoors in developing countries [4].…”