Published Paper Details:

The use of biomass fuels for cooking is the source of household air pollution in India, particularly in rural areas. The emissions of particulate matter, especially less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) and carbon monoxide(CO), were observed during cooking and non-cooking periods in rural households of Nagpur district in Maharashtra. Various stove types (Chulah and LPG) and fuel types (dung cake, crop residues, wood (biomass fuel) and LPG), monitored for emissions, thus representing a significant fraction of the total fuel/stove combinations used in the study area. During cooking, the CO concentrations ranged from 0.18 ppm to 66 ppm when cooking was done indoors in gas and biomass fuel-using households, respectively. Similarly, the PM2.5 concentrations during cooking ranged from 4.8 ug/m3 to 11500 ug/m3 and 10 to 4200 when cooking was done indoors in wood and gas using households respectively .Combining the results of the time-activity pattern of cook , PM2.5 and CO concentrations during cooking and non-cooking periods, exposure estimates for cook calculated. In rural households ventilation is limited. Exposures experienced by household members, particularly women who spend a large proportion of their time in the kitchen, have been measured to be many times higher than WHO guidelines and national standards.