Particulate Matter and Black Carbon Personal Exposure Reductions from an LPG Stove Intervention in Rural Households in Puno, Peru: Preliminary Results

摘要

Household air pollution (HAP) from biomass fuels is a leading risk factor for preventable diseases and among the largest environmental contributor to the global disease burden. Previous interventions show limited results with concentrations that remain significantly higher than recommended guidelines and therefore show limited results in improving health. As a result, recent efforts are focusing on stoves that use cleaner fuels such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). A randomized controlled field trial of an LPG stove intervention is enrolling 180 female participants and will follow them for one year. Free LPG stoves and fuel are being delivered to 90 participants. We are collecting 48-hour measurements of personal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon (BC). Preliminary data shows baseline daily average personal PM2.5 exposures of 120 μg/m3 among biomass fuel users (n=70). We observed preliminary reductions of about 80% and 78% on average personal exposure to PM2.5 after the first and third month of LPG stove use respectively, compared to baseline concentrations (n=20). Personal BC exposures of about 40 μg/m3 were reduced by 90% after one and three months of LPG stove use (n=25). Preliminary results show not only sharp exposure reductions expected from good compliance after one month, but also sustained reductions from the LPG stove use after three months of the intervention. Results from this analysis will provide valuable information to help understand PM and BC exposure from biomass fuel use. In addition, findings from this study will help us better understand the HAP changes that follow the adoption of LPG stoves. Results of this trial will inform the feasibility of an LPG stove replacement program to reduce HAP and improve health in resource-limited settings such as Peru.