Evaluation of Daily Behaviors Related to Health Risks of the Ger Residents in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Enkhchimeg Battsengel, Takehiko Murayama, Shigeo Nishikizawa and Sonomdagva Chonokhuu
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Enkhchimeg Battsengel: Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, School of Environment and Society, Yokohama 226-8502, Japan
Takehiko Murayama: Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, School of Environment and Society, Yokohama 226-8502, Japan
Shigeo Nishikizawa: Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, School of Environment and Society, Yokohama 226-8502, Japan
Sonomdagva Chonokhuu: Department of Environment and Forest Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar 210646, Mongolia

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 9, 1-15

Abstract: The capital city in Mongolia comprises two types of dwellings: apartments and Gers. The Ger is a traditional Mongolian house. Residents of Ger districts in Ulaanbaatar use coal as a source of fuel for daily activities such as heating and cooking in winter due to lack of central heating systems. After coal burning, the ash deposited at the bottom of the oven converts into a powder containing heavy metals that are toxic to human health. Through questionnaires at sites where concentrations of heavy elements were identified in our previous study, we examined the heavy metal exposure pathways of coal ash, which has potentially adverse effects on the health and quality of life of Ger district residents. Survey results indicate that residents have to store the coal ash in packing bags and metal garbage cans near their household fences for at least two weeks because of poor waste management. Owing to the weak seals of the packaging material and open metal cans that contain the coal ash, it is easily transported into surrounding areas by the wind. Adults come into contact with contaminated soil when they are cleaning areas outside and inside the fences, and children are exposed when they play outside the fences. Such activities enhance the dermal exposure as well as inhalation and ingestion pathways of the contaminants for adults and children.

Keywords: exposure pathways; ingestion; inhalation; dermal; coal usage; Ger residents; questionnaire survey; principle component analyses (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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