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$PM_{2.5}$ Pollution Levels and Chemical Components at Teahouses along the Poon Hill Trek in Nepal
| Content Provider | MDPI |
|---|---|
| Author | Johnston, James D. Beard, John D. Novilla, M. Lelinneth B. Weber, Frank X. Chartier, Ryan T. |
| Copyright Year | 2022 |
| Description | Unhealthy levels of fine particulate matter $(PM_{2.5}$) from the local burning of solid fuels, and from regional transport of pollutants, remain a major public health problem in the Himalayan foothill villages in Nepal. Teahouses (i.e., mountain lodges) along popular hiking trails in the lower Himalayas commonly use wood as the primary energy source for heating; however, little is known about teahouse air quality. The purpose of this study was to characterize the levels and chemical constituents of indoor and ambient $PM_{2.5}$ at three villages along the Poon Hill circuit trek in the Annapurna Conservation Area in Nepal. A convenience sample of five $PM_{2.5}$ measurements was collected with portable MicroPEM V.3.2A exposure monitors. Filters were analyzed for black and brown carbon using integrating sphere optical transmittance and 33 elemental constituents using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence. Median indoor $PM_{2.5}$ over the sampling period was 41.3 $µg/m^{3}$, whereas median ambient $PM_{2.5}$ over the sampling period was 34.7 $µg/m^{3}$. Chemical species associated with wood smoke, such as potassium (GM = 0.88 $µg/m^{3}$), predominated. High indoor and ambient $PM_{2.5}$ levels may pose a significant occupational health risk to teahouse workers, who may experience chronic exposures during trekking seasons. Our findings warrant additional research to characterize teahouse air pollution exposures more fully and to evaluate intervention measures. |
| Starting Page | 1018 |
| e-ISSN | 20734433 |
| DOI | 10.3390/atmos13071018 |
| Journal | Atmosphere |
| Issue Number | 7 |
| Volume Number | 13 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | MDPI |
| Publisher Date | 2022-06-24 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Atmosphere Environmental Engineering Indoor Air Quality Fine Particulate Matter Himalayas Pm2.5 Nepal Air Pollution Pm2.5 Chemical Components |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
