Variation of Indoor Particulate Matter Concentrations and Association with Indoor/Outdoor Temperature: A Case Study in Rural Limpopo, South Africa

Kapwata, Thandi; Language, Brigitte; Piketh, S.; Wright, Caradee Y.

doi:10.3390/atmos9040124

Cited by 19 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…The PM mass concentrations determined in this study correspond to levels determined for PM in other recent studies in low-income settlements, which also include measurements at Kwadela and Kwazamokuhle (Adesina et al, 2020;Langerman et al, 2018;Xulu et al, 2020;Language et al, 2016;Kapwata et al, 2018). These studies also reported similar trends in PM mass concentrations, i.e.…”

Section: Mass Concentrationsupporting

confidence: 89%

Measurement report: Size-resolved chemical characterisation of aerosols in low-income urban settlements in South Africa

et al. 2022

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Abstract. Naturally and anthropogenically emitted aerosols, which are determined by their physical and chemical properties, have an impact on both air quality and the radiative properties of the earth. An important source of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) in South Africa is household combustion for space heating and cooking, which predominantly occurs in low-income urban settlements. The aim of this study was to conduct a detailed size-resolved assessment of chemical characteristics of aerosols associated with household combustion through the collection of particulates in low-income urban settlements in South Africa to quantify the extent of the impacts of atmospheric pollution. Outdoor (ambient) and indoor aerosols in different size fractions were collected during summer and winter in four low-income urban settlements located in the north-eastern interior on the South African Highveld, i.e. Kwadela, Kwazamokuhle, Zamdela, and Jouberton. Mass concentration and chemical composition was determined for three size fractions, namely, PM1, PM2.5, and PM2.5−10. The highest concentrations of particulates were measured indoors with the highest mass concentration determined in the indoor PM2.5−10 (coarse) size fraction. However, the highest mass concentrations were determined in PM1 in all outdoor aerosol samples collected during winter and summer, and in indoor samples collected during summer. Significantly higher concentrations were determined for SO4-2 in outdoor and indoor particulates compared to other ionic species, with NH4+ and NO3- being the second most abundant. SO4-2 and NH4+ almost exclusively occurred in the PM1 size fraction, while NO3- was the major constituent in the larger size fractions. The highest SO4-2 levels were recorded for the winter and summer outdoor campaigns conducted at Zamdela, while NO3- and NH4+ concentrations were higher during the winter outdoor campaign. The combined concentrations of trace elements were higher for indoor particulates compared to outdoor aerosols, while the total trace element concentrations in PM1 were substantially higher than levels thereof in the two larger size fractions of particulates collected during all sampling campaigns. No distinct seasonal trend was observed for the concentrations of trace elements. Na, Ca, and Cr had the highest concentrations in particulates collected during outdoor and indoor sampling campaigns. Ni concentrations in outdoor and indoor aerosols exceeded the annual average European standard. PM1 collected during all sampling campaigns in low-income urban settlements had the highest organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) concentrations. The highest OC and EC levels were determined in PM1 collected during the winter indoor campaign. OC and EC concentrations were highest during winter, which can be attributed to changes in meteorological patterns and increased household combustion during winter. Low OC/EC ratios determined for particulates collected in low-income urban settlements are indicative of OC and EC being mainly associated with local sources of these species. OC concentrations determined in this study were an order of magnitude lower than OC concentrations determined for ambient aerosols collected in the north-eastern interior of South Africa, while similar EC levels were measured. According to estimated dust concentrations, it was indicated that dust is the major constituent in all size ranges of particulates collected in this study, while trace elements were the second most abundant. However, trace elements made the highest contribution to indoor PM1 and PM1−2.5 mass. Mass concentrations and chemical concentrations determined for aerosols collected in low-income settlements reflect the regional impacts of anthropogenic sources in the north-eastern interior of South Africa and the influence of local sources.

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Section: Mass Concentrationsupporting

confidence: 89%

Measurement report: Size-resolved chemical characterisation of aerosols in low-income urban settlements in South Africa

et al. 2022

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“…For example, changes in temperature affect PM by influencing the change of chemical reaction rates and atmospheric mixing heights that affect the vertical dispersion of pollutants and modifying local wind and flow patterns that control the transportation of pollutants [ 84 ]. Meanwhile, differences in temperature indoors and outdoors also influence natural ventilation through the movement of air, and thus affecting indoor PM concentration [ 85 ]. With the increase of relative humidity, the resuspension rate of fine particulate matters decreased [ 86 ].…”

Section: Sources and Distribution Of Indoor Pmmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indoor Particulate Matter in Urban Households: Sources, Pathways, Characteristics, Health Effects, and Exposure Mitigation

Zhang

Magana-Arachchi

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Particulate matter (PM) is a complex mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in the air with varying size, shape, and chemical composition which intensifies significant concern due to severe health effects. Based on the well-established human health effects of outdoor PM, health-based standards for outdoor air have been promoted (e.g., the National Ambient Air Quality Standards formulated by the U.S.). Due to the exchange of indoor and outdoor air, the chemical composition of indoor particulate matter is related to the sources and components of outdoor PM. However, PM in the indoor environment has the potential to exceed outdoor PM levels. Indoor PM includes particles of outdoor origin that drift indoors and particles that originate from indoor activities, which include cooking, fireplaces, smoking, fuel combustion for heating, human activities, and burning incense. Indoor PM can be enriched with inorganic and organic contaminants, including toxic heavy metals and carcinogenic volatile organic compounds. As a potential health hazard, indoor exposure to PM has received increased attention in recent years because people spend most of their time indoors. In addition, as the quantity, quality, and scope of the research have expanded, it is necessary to conduct a systematic review of indoor PM. This review discusses the sources, pathways, characteristics, health effects, and exposure mitigation of indoor PM. Practical solutions and steps to reduce exposure to indoor PM are also discussed.

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“…Most employed tools used in survey to collect data are questionnaires and interviews [12]. In air pollution study's authors, Kapwata et al [3], Parajuli et al [6] and Rumchev et al [13] use survey to obtain information about cooking patterns, exposure to potential risk factors, smoking history, occupation and exposure to biomass fuels used in the home for cooking, heating and lighting, details of the house construction, demographic data and an assessment of socioeconomic status. Survey may be structured or semi-structured with open-ended or closed-ended questions, followed by response options.…”

Section: Survey As Environmental Health Risk Assessment Toolmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There have been numerous studies that have used different approaches to assess indoor and outdoor induced environmental health risks, including domestic firewood induced air pollution, for example Kapwata et al [3], Olave et al [4], Mitchell et al [5], Parajuli et al [6], Jung et al [7] and Joon et al [8], to name a few. It is evident from that these studies inferred on air pollution induced health risk from a one sided and narrow methodological base.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrated Environmental Health Risk Assessment Framework for Firewood-Induced Indoor Air Pollution

Semenya

Machete

2019

WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment

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This paper presents an integrated environmental health risk assessment framework to assess risks associated with firewood-induced indoor air pollution as an environmental health hazard. The combustion of firewood is associated with the emission of particulate matter, volatile organic and inorganic compounds or gases that are hazardous to human health and the environment. To date, there have been numerous studies and environmental health risk assessment approaches used to measure, monitor and assess environmental health risks associated with firewood-induced and related pollutants. However, many of the aforementioned risk assessment methods followed a narrow approach, thus rendering these studies methodologically one-sided. Consequently, some of these studies drew inferences about the air pollutants and the associated human health risks without identifying the tree species from which such firewood was harvested, as well as the different properties of wood and combustion characteristics including the dynamics of the fireplace where such combustion took place. Some of these studies failed to identify a specific community where particular firewood is used, since different firewood species grow in different areas and are therefore commonly used in communities where the wood is easily found. Most experimental studies on firewood-induced air pollution examined firewood emissions from undefined or unknown wood species. It is for these reasons that the current study aimed to close these methodological gaps by developing a comprehensive integrated environmental health risk assessment framework that considers the firewood user households, common types of wood and conditions of their harvesting, combustion and emissions in the laboratory environment. This study integrated observations, ethnobotanical meta-analysis and experimental study designs into one comprehensive integrated environmental health risk assessment (IEHRA) framework to assess the risks associated with exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from firewood combustion. The IEHRA was applied in the Senwabarwana villages to assess environmental health risks associated with selected firewood-induced volatile organic compounds. The results were sufficiently comprehensive to identify common ethnobotanical plant species used for firewood in the study area, the frequency of fire making, the conditions in which fire was made and common health problems experienced by firewood user households. Finally, different species of firewood were burnt in a laboratory under simulated kitchen conditions and VOCs were collected for analysis. The results of the VOCs samples differentiated high-and low-risk firewood species.

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Variation of Indoor Particulate Matter Concentrations and Association with Indoor/Outdoor Temperature: A Case Study in Rural Limpopo, South Africa

Cited by 19 publications

References 46 publications

Measurement report: Size-resolved chemical characterisation of aerosols in low-income urban settlements in South Africa

Measurement report: Size-resolved chemical characterisation of aerosols in low-income urban settlements in South Africa

Indoor Particulate Matter in Urban Households: Sources, Pathways, Characteristics, Health Effects, and Exposure Mitigation

Integrated Environmental Health Risk Assessment Framework for Firewood-Induced Indoor Air Pollution

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