Effectiveness of Improved Cookstoves to Reduce Indoor Air Pollution in Developing Countries. The Case of the Cassamance Natural Subregion, Western Africa

Candela de la Sota, Julio Lumbreras, Javier Mazorra, Adolfo Narros, Luz Fernández, Rafael Borge

Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Madrid (UPM), Spain.

DOI: 10.4236/gep.2014.21001                

Abstract

The Spanish NGO “Alianza por la Solidaridad” has installed improved cookstoves in 3000 households during 2012 and 2013 to improve energy efficiency reducing fuelwood consumption and to improve indoor air quality. The type of cookstoves were Noflaye Jeeg and Noflaye Jaboot and were installed in the Cassamance Natural Subregion covering part of Senegal, The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. The Technical University of Madrid (UPM) has conducted a field study on a sample of these households to assess the effect of improved cookstoves on kitchen air quality. Measurements of carbon monoxide (CO) and fine particle matter (PM2.5) were taken for 24-hr period before and after the installation of improved cookstoves. The 24-hr mean CO concentrations were lower than the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for Guinea-Bissau but higher for Senegal and Gambia, even after the installation of improved cookstoves. As for PM2.5 concentrations, 24-hr mean were always higher than these guidelines. However, improved cookstoves produced significant reductions on 24-hr mean CO and PM2.5 concentrations in Senegal and for mean and maximum PM2.5 concentration on Gambia. Although this variability needs to be explained by further research to determine which other factors could affect indoor air pollution, the study provided a better understanding of the problem and envisaged alternatives to be implemented in future phases of the NGO project.

Keywords

Indoor Air Pollution; Improved Cookstoves; Biomass Burning; Health Effects; Western Africa

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Bailis, R., Berrueta, V., Chengappa, C., Dutta, K., Edwards, R., Masera, O. et al. (2007). Performance testing for monitoring improved biomass stove interventions: Experiences of the Household Energy and Health Project. Energy for Sustainable Development, 11, 57-70. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0973-0826(08)60400-7
[2]	Bates, L., Bruce, N., Theuri, D., Owala, H., Hada, J., Hood, A. et al. (2005). Smoke, health and household energy. Volume 1: Participatory methods for design, installation, monitoring and assessment of smoke alleviation technologies. ITDG/Practical Action.
[3]	Chowdury, Z., Le, L. T., Al Masud, A., Chang, K. C., Alauddin, M., Hossain, M. et al. (2012). Quantification of indoor air pollution from using cookstoves and estimation of its health effects on adult women in northwest Bangladesh. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 12, 463- 475.
[4]	Dutta, K., Shields, N. K., Edwards, R., & Smith, K. R. (2007). Impact of improved biomass cookstoves on indoor air quality near Pune, India. Energy for Sustainable Development, 11, 19-32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0973-0826(08)60397-X
[5]	Edwards, R., Hubbard, A., Khalakdina, A., Pennise, D., & Smith, K. R. (2007). Design considerations for field studies of changes in indoor air pollution due to improved stoves. Energy for Sustainable Development, 11, 71-81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0973-0826(08)60401-9
[6]	IEA (2010). World energy outlook 2010, energy poverty. How to make modern energy access universal? International Energy Agency.
[7]	MacCarty, N., Still, D., Ogle, D., & Drouin, T. (2008). Assessing cook stove performance: Field and lab studies of three rocket stoves comparing the open fire and traditional stoves in tamil nadu, india on measures of time to cook, fuel use, total emissions, and indoor air pollution. Aprovecho Research Center.
[8]	Smith, K. R., Dutta, K., Chengappa, C., Gusain, P. P. S., Masera, O., Berrueta, V. et al. (2007). Monitoring and evaluation of improved biomass cookstove programs for indoor air quality and stove performance: conclusions from the Household Energy and Health Project. Energy for Sustainable Development, 11, 5-18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0973-0826(08)60396-8
[9]	WHO (2005). Air Quality guidelines global update 2005. World Health Organization.
[10]	WHO (2006). Fuel for life. Household energy and health. World Health Organization.
[11]	WHO (2010). WHO guidelines for indoor air quality: Selected pollutants. World Health Organization.