Assessing the Effects of Household Wood Burning on Particulate Matter in Rwanda

Abstract

Considerable efforts have been made to protect people from indoor air pollutant exposure as approximately 80% of people spend time indoors where pollution is often worse than outside. Further, vulnerable populations, including elderly, children, and pregnant women, spend an excessively of time indoors, exposing them to pollutants that are responsible for both short-term and long-term negative health effects, resulting an estimated 4 million premature deaths annually. Aim of this research was to assess impressions of domestic use of solid fuels (firewood and charcoals) burning on Particulate Matter PM2.5 and PM10, which are particles that are less than or equal to 2.5 and 10 micrograms (μm) in diameter respectively within Kigali the capital city of Rwanda. A sample of 31 households using only charcoals and woods for cooking were selected for targeted 72 hours of monitoring. Portable air quality sensors AirVisual Nodes were used to measure concentration levels of PM2.5 and PM10 in microgram per cubic meter (μg/m3). Results showed that homes using wood for cooking experience moderately high concentrations level of PM2.5 and PM10, over 1000 μg/m3 and 1200 μg/m3 respectively, whereas homes using charcoals for cooking had lower concentrations. This later direct to that: Outstanding to low market prices of these solid fuels, poorer households are highly exposed to indoor air pollution. So, an alternative reasonably priced domestic energy to be used for cooking are indorsed and pollution levels survey in households using combination or different types of fuels for cooking are recommended for future research. Contribution/Originality: The paper's primary contribution is that: • Households using woods and charcoals for cooking activities are exposed to high air pollution levels. • An alternative reasonably priced domestic energy to be used for cooking should be used as a primary energy for cooking. 1. INTRODUCTION Particulate matter the complex mixture of small particles and liquid droplets, which includes organic chemicals, metals, acids, and dust particles considered to be among the major air pollutants of concern (Global Burden of