Indoor Air Quality and its Health Impacts in Thame, Sagarmath National Park, Nepal

Abstract

In many developing world, respiratory problems such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been of major concern and is attributed to the indoor air pollution. The aim of this study was to monitor the indoor air quality and assess its health impact on 104 subjects of 35 households of Thame Village Development Committee, Solukhumbu District. It was carried out for nine days in November 2008. In the Kitchen, emission of Carbon monoxide (CO) and Particulate matter (PM) in the size range ≤ 2.5 μm (PM_2.5) were monitored as an indicator of indoor air pollution. The instruments used were UCB particulate monitor and HOBO CO meter. Similarly, Spirometer was used to assess the respiratory function. PM_2.5, concentration varied between 0.4mg/m³ and 10mg/m³. Maximum concentration of about 10 mg/m³ was observed for traditional cooking stove (TCS) with no chimneys. For the modern or improved cooking stoves ICS) with ventilation from pipes and chimneys, the concentrations were below 0.4mg/m³. Similarly, the average indoor air CO concentration for 8 hours has been found to be between 5 and 30 ppm, depending on different stove types. The highest concentration of about 200 ppm was observed at the time of cooking (ca. 2 hours average) using TCS with chimney only. In addition, health spirometry test was performed on 70 subjects of Thame Village Development Committee (VDC) and 34 subjects of different villages and background. The spirometry test indicated that ca. 14% of the subjects showed mild obstruction whereas ca. 5% showed moderate obstruction. It has to be noted that despite the recent switch to the alternative cleaner energy source from the polluting solid fuels, the long term exposure in the past might show its adverse effect in the old ages.