Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) has ranked Ulaanbaatar as the second most polluted city in the world and much attention has been given to the issue of outdoor air pollution.6 The World Bank reports that particulate matter is the main air pollutant in Ulaanbaatar, mainly due to coal burning from individual gers. Through this research study we aim to test our hypothesis that women living in gers (traditional dwillings) burning coal in traditional stoves for cooking and heating during the winter are exposed to higher concentrations of airborne PM2.5 than women living in apartments in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and this exposure may include exposures to lead in coal with effects on blood lead levels. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited a total of 50 women, 40-60 years of age living in apartments and gers. Air sampling was carried out during peak cooking and heating times, 5:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m., collecting direct-reading measurement (TSI SidePak™) gravimetric methods. Blood lead level (BLL) was measured using a LeadCare II rapid field test method. Results: Measured PM2.5 geometric mean (GM) concentrations using the SidePak™ in the apartment group was 31.5 (95% CM7-99) ug/m3, and 100 (95% Cl: 67-187) ug/m3 in ger households (p < 0.001). The GM integrated gravimetric PM2.5 concentrations in the apartment group were 52.8 (95% Cl: 39-297) ug/m3 and 127.8 (95% Cl: 86-190) ug/m3 in ger households (p = 0.004). The correlation coefficient for the SidePak™ PM2.5 concentrations and filter based PM2.5 concentrations was r = 0.72 (p < 0.001). Blood Lead Levels were not statistically significant different between apartment residents and ger residents (p = 0.15). The BLL is statistically significant different (p = 0.01) when stratified by length of exposures outside of the home. This statistically significant difference in increased BLL could be due to occupational or frequent exposure to outdoor air pollution that were not measured. This study was first to measure BLLs among an adult population in Mongolia. Conclusion: The results suggest that elevated BLLs may not be a major public health issue for older adult women who use coal however, the elevated PM2.5 levels observed inside ger homes are concerning and continue to be a significant risk to public health.
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