High Levels of Fine Particulate Matter (PM 2.5 ) Concentrations from Burning Solid Fuels in Rural Households of Butajira, Ethiopia

Mulugeta Tamire, Abera Kumie, Adamu Addissie, Mulugeta Ayalew, Johan Boman, Susann Skovbjerg, Rune Andersson and Mona Lärstad
Additional contact information
Mulugeta Tamire: Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 9086, Ethiopia
Abera Kumie: Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 9086, Ethiopia
Adamu Addissie: Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 9086, Ethiopia
Mulugeta Ayalew: Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 9086, Ethiopia
Johan Boman: Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Atmospheric Science, University of Gothenburg, 41696 Gothenburg, Sweden
Susann Skovbjerg: Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 41345 Gothenburg, Sweden
Rune Andersson: Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 41345 Gothenburg, Sweden
Mona Lärstad: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 41390 Gothenburg, Sweden

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 13, 1-11

Abstract: The use of solid fuel, known to emit pollutants which cause damage to human health, is the primary energy option in Ethiopia. Thus, the aim of this study was to measure the level of household air pollution by using the 24-h mean concentration of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) in 150 randomly recruited households in rural Butajira, Ethiopia. Data relating to household and cooking practices were obtained by conducting face-to-face interviews with the mothers. The 24-h mean (standard deviation) and median PM 2.5 concentrations were 410 (220) and 340 µg/m 3 , respectively. Households using only traditional stoves and those who did not open the door or a window during cooking had a significantly higher mean concentration compared with their counterparts. There is a statistically significant correlation between the mean concentration of PM 2.5 and the self-reported cooking duration. The pollution level was up to 16 times higher than the WHO 24-h guideline limit of 25 ?g/m 3, thus leaving the mothers and children who spend the most time at the domestic hearth at risk of the adverse health effects from solid fuel use in Ethiopia. Thus, effective short- and long-term interventions are urgently needed.

Keywords: solid fuel use; household air pollution; particulate matter (PM 2.5 ); Ethiopia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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