Fine particle air quality levels of Sri Lankan households and associated respiratory conditions: preliminary findings of an ongoing longitudinal study

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Data on fine particle (PM2.5) air pollutant levels in Sir Lankan households are scarce. A high proportion of households are known to use unclean fuels for cooking, without proper ventilation. The aim of the study was to determine the respiratory health status of children and PM2.5 levels in a sample of home environments (indoors and outdoors). METHODS: A total of 612 children (aged 7–10 years) were selected from 2 study settings (setting 1, n = 408; setting 2, n = 204) for a prospective study. Study “setting 1” was selected from a high outdoor air-polluted area of the Colombo Municipal Council, and “setting 2” from a low-polluted area. The study commenced in March 2009. Measurements were made in the main living room using UCB particle monitors for 24 hours with minute logging. The outdoor 24-hour PM2.5 levels were measured using gravimetric air samplers in 3 selected outdoor locations in each setting at monthly intervals. RESULTS: On the basis of the 124 household measurements, the median PM2.5levels in households of settings 1 and 2 were 66.6 μg/m3 (mean = 104.0, range = 25.5–644.8) and 50.0 μg/m3 (mean = 142.0, range = 5.9–749.5), respectively. The highest PM2.5 concentrations were reported from houses using wood as cooking fuel (mean = 145.2, median = 66.8, range = 5.9–749.5 μg/m3). The prevalences of wheezing during the past 12 months (at least one episode during the last 12 months) were 20.8% (n = 85) and 10.8% (n = 22) (odds ratio = 2.2, confidence interval = 1.3–3.6) in setting 1 and 2, respectively. The prevalences of children ever having asthma were 18.9% (n = 77) and 12.7% (n = 26) in settings 1 and 2, respectively. CONCLUSION: Most of the households had PM2.5 levels exceeding the upper limit recommended by the World Health Organization. Children living in setting 1 had a higher risk of experiencing respiratory ill health than children living in setting 2. © 2011 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.