Sources of household air pollution and their association with fine particulate matter in low-income urban homes in India

Abstract

Introduction: Household air pollution (HAP) is poorly characterized in low-income urban Indian communities.

Materials and methods: A questionnaire assessing sources of HAP and 24 h household concentrations of particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM_2.5) were collected in a sample of low-income homes in Pune, India.

Results: In 166 homes, the median 24 h average concentration of PM_2.5 was 167 μg/m³ (IQR: 106-294). Although kerosene and wood use were highly prevalent (22% and 25% of homes, respectively), primarily as secondary fuel sources, high PM_2.5 concentrations were also found in 95 (57%) homes reporting LPG use alone (mean 141 μg/m³; IQR: 92-209). In adjusted linear regression, log PM_2.5 concentration was positively associated with wood cooking fuel (GMR 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-2.0), mosquito coils (GMR 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-2.1), and winter season (GMR 1.7, 95% CI: 1.4-2.2). Households in the highest quartile of exposure were positively associated with wood cooking fuel (OR 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1-1.5), incense (OR 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0-1.3), mosquito coils (OR 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1-1.6), and winter season (OR 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1-1.4).

Discussion: We observed high concentrations of PM_2.5 and identified associated determinants in urban Indian homes.

Keywords: Environmental monitoring; Epidemiology; Household air pollution; Low- and middle income country (LMIC); Particulate matter.