Measuring indoor air quality exposure while cooking morning meals Photo: Parth Sarathi Mahapatra/ICIMOD

Parth Sarathi Mahapatra, a research analyst with the Atmosphere Initiative at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), says that there have been only a few studies with a multi-parameter measurement approach to assessing indoor air quality exposure and its immediate response on physiological functions, especially with respect to cooking using biomass in Nepal. In a recent field study conducted near Chitwan National Park in the Terai region of Nepal, Mahapatra and his team conducted a measurement of associated physiological response to comprehend short term exposure to air pollution caused by different modes of indoor cooking—biomass, biogas, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The ongoing study attempts to fill in existing knowledge gaps.

Keeping parameters in mind, the team measured particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM10), black carbon (BC), and carbon monoxide (CO) to assess air quality. Likewise, they also checked and recorded lung function, exhaled CO content, blood pressure, blood hemoglobin, and carboxyhemoglobin in order to monitor the physiological response of the samples.

The team collected data from four villages— Gauthali, Simreni, Jankauli and Magar—in Sauraha, Chitwan. They measured the pollutant exposure and epidemiological response of nearly 100 participants between the ages of 20 and 30. The measurements were taken twice a day, one in the morning and another in the evening, during cooking hours. Because it is mostly women who are involved in cooking, the data collected is mostly from female samples. The team also conducted a questionnaire based survey to identify the participants’ socio-cultural and health status.

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1. Data collection through questionnaire in Chitwan Photos: Siva Praveen Puppala /ICIMOD 2. Doctors from Kathmandu Medical College collecting health end point measurements Photo: Parth Sarathi Mahapatra/ICIMOD 3. Participants, doctors, and local health workers watching Dhuwa, a short telefilm about air pollution

Siva Praveen Puppala, an aerosol scientist at ICIMOD explains that the study, a strong effort to measure indoor air quality exposure, “will analyze the chemical composition of emissions from different modes of indoor cooking and associated impacts on cell line”. Scientists from the Institute of Life Science in Bhubaneswar, India, will assist the analysis.

The study is being undertaken in partnership with Kathmandu Medical College (KMC) and Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC). A team of female doctors lead by Dr Ram Krishna Chandyo conducted the personal measurements in the field. The same team will analyze data at a later stage of the study. The analysis is expected to show how indoor air pollution exposure affects the physiological functioning of people.

In each village, on the final day of fieldwork, the participants and other villagers gathered to watch Dhuwa, a short telefilm about air pollution resulting from open fires. The film was screened to raise awareness on the issue. A one-day health camp was also set up in each village on the final day to provide general consultation and distribute selected medicines for free with the help of doctors from KMC and health assistants from Bachholi Health Post, Chitwan.

The National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) and ICIMOD staff Karuna Bajracharya and Anobha Gurung supported the study.

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