Household concentrations and personal exposure of PM_(2.5) among urban residents using different cooking fuels

摘要

Exposure to PM_(2.5) is a leading environmental risk factor for many diseases and premature deaths, arousing growing public concerns. In this study, indoor and outdoor PM_(2.5) concentrations were investigated during the heating and non-heating seasons in an urban area in northwest China. Personal inhalation exposure levels among different age groups were evaluated, and the difference attributable to different cooking fuels including coal, gas and electricity, was discussed. The average concentrations of PM_(2.5) in the kitchen and the bedroom were 125 ± 51 and 119 ± 64 μg/m~3 during the heating season, and 80 ± 67 and 80 ± 50 μg/m~3 during the non-heating season, respectively. Indoor PM_(2.5), from indoor combustion sources but also outdoor penetration, contributed to about 75% of the total PM_(2.5) exposure. Much higher indoor concentrations and inhalation exposure levels were found in households using coal for cooking compared to those using gas and electricity. Changing from coal to gas or electricity for cooking could result in a reduction of PM_(2.5) in the kitchen by 40-70% and consequently lower inhalation exposure levels, especially for children and women.