Impact of Biomass cooking fuels on indoor air quality in rural areas of Lucknow

摘要

emerged as an awakened dreaded giant due to, approximately half of the world's population still relies on biomass fuels (wood, charcoal, dung, crop residues). In rural India, most noxious indoor air pollutants are released as suspended particulate matter (SPM), CO, poly organic materials (POM's), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH's) along with intrinsic contaminants as S and trace metals, due to combustion products of unprocessed solid biomass fuels. Severe health hazards as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD's) and lung cancer are encountered, posing threat to mankind. About half a million die annually form IAP in India. High magnitude of the problem posed an urgent need to assess the indoor air quality (IAQ) of rural households in Lucknow, thereby suggesting some remedial measures. Indoor air samples form rural houses using firewood, dung, crop residue were drawn from enclosed, open kitchens, living rooms while cooking and at non cooking times by air samplers. Respirable dust measurements were made by collecting samples via constant flow pumps. The concentrations of particulate matter (PM10) were measured by aerosol monitor. Kitchen measurements of CO, PM2.5, SO2 and NOX were estimated by using the emission of PAH which was monitored and analysed using HPLC. The finding revealed maximum concentration of CO2 (mean value 12 ± 3.4 ppm) among all the gaseous pollutants measured in the breathing zone in the indoor air samples during cooking period. The PAH level in the indoor air samples showed a very high concentration (957 μg/m3).The concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 measured inside the kitchen during biomass combustion (wood) was 3.7 times higher than the level of both the panicles in the outdoor air. There is a significant health risk associated with increased concentration of gaseous pollutants and suspended particles including PAH. Thus, IAQ can be improved by more stringent bio monitoring studies and use of high efficiency cooking devices in rural areas.