+443308187254Perspective Article - Journal of Research in Environmental Science and Toxicology ( 2024) Volume 13, Issue 1
Received: 11-Jan-2024, Manuscript No. JREST-24-124942; Editor assigned: 16-Jan-2024, Pre QC No. JREST-24-124942 (PQ); Reviewed: 30-Jan-2024, QC No. JREST-24-124942; Revised: 07-Feb-2024, Manuscript No. JREST-24-124942 (R); Published: 15-Feb-2024, DOI: 10.14303/2315-5698.2024.67
Each year at least 7 million deaths occur as a consequence of air pollution, one of the major public health burdens, worldwide (UNECE). Ulaanbaatar has become one of the most polluted cities in the world. According to the research of World Bank total suspended particles and carbon monoxide concentrations were higher 27 times and 50 times than WHO recommended guidelines in Ulaanbaatar city, respectively. Additionally, researchers found that PM2.5 and PM10 are associated with 23.5% and 19.5% of total respiratory and cardiovascular illness, respectively. The number of vehicles in Ulaanbaatar is increasing every year and 66% of them have been used at least 10 years already. Exhaust fumes from cars contain nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matters and volatile organic compounds, which constitutes up to 20%-30% of total air pollutants.
The action plan of the national program on environmental health, improvement of the government resolution no. 255 in 2017, was approved by the order no. A/412 of the minister of health in 2017 which aims to implement relevant activities for air pollution mitigation within the framework of objective. In addition, the government of Mongolia issued a decision to ban raw coal consumption by resolution no. 62 of 2018 for citizens, business entities and organizations except for companies licensed to generate electricity and heat in Bayangol, Bayanzurkh, Songinokhairkhan, Sukhbaatar, Khan-Uul and Chingeltei districts from May 15, 2019. The chemical composition of PM2.5 particles depends on the local and urban climatic factors, human activities, seasonal and diurnal variations. Studies conducted in some US states have shown that outdoor PM2.5 particles are mainly composed of sulfates, ammonium, hydrogen ions, elemental carbon, secondary organic compounds, primary organic compounds from cooking and heating and some heavy metals from combustion processes.
On the other hand, PM10 particles had contained elements related to the earth's crust such as calcium, aluminum, silicon, magnesium and iron, as well as dust, bacterial spores and primary organic elements from plant and animal sources.
Indoor air pollution is one of the leading public health issues in developing countries, as people spend 80 percent-90 percent of their lives in indoor environment and researchers have found that some indoor pollutants have higher concentrations indoors rather than outdoor environment. The main indoor air pollutants are PM2.5 particles, benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, naphthalene, nitrogen dioxide, polycyclic hydrocarbons, radon, trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene, some of which are harmful to human health and can cause cancer.
In developing countries, there are sufficient studies had been conducted on association between indoor air pollution emitted from the solid fuel consumption and acute lower respiratory infections and pneumonia in children under two years of age. Every two out of five developing countries are using wood, coal, agricultural waste and dung as fuel in the indoor environment. Each year, more than 4 million people die prematurely due to open hearths and the use of solid fuels in their homes. Indoor air pollution is a major cause of non-communicable diseases such as stroke, ischemic heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. As a consequence of intensive indoor air quality research since the 1970's, indoor air pollution sources, pollutant concentrations, health effects, solutions and various policy measures have been introduced. Secondhand smoking, nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde, radon and other pollutants emitted from gas-fired stoves have been identified as major risks in newly constructed or under construction buildings recently.
In Mongolia, the use of raw fuels can be associated with PM2.5 particles, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide exposures in gers and houses, whereas nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde, radon emitted from gas fired stoves and tobacco smoke exposures are frequent in apartments which are harmful for health. Currently, there is few indoor air quality studies has been conducted in Ulaanbaatar. The energy efficiency, renewable energy and improved fuels in gers and revealed the residents' need for sustainable financial support. The use of High Efficiency Particulate Air purifier/filter (HEPA) had reduced PM2.5 particle concentrations by 26 percent in apartments. The blood cadmium levels of pregnant women who used HEPA air purifiers were 14 percent lower than in pregnant women who did not use air purifiers in their apartments. Therefore, in this study we aimed to compare if the indoor air pollutants had changed from the previous year in 2019. The goal of the study was to compare indoor air quality of gers/traditional lodging, houses and apartments by districts, by types of fuel and heating and to develop recommendations for further improvement of indoor air quality. It is necessary to identify whether these pollutants concentrations have been changed in the households due to the ban on raw coal consumption since 15 May 2019. Generally, air pollution research focus on outdoor air quality, while some pollutants concentrations have not yet been fully characterized in indoor environments including public buildings.
Previously in 2019, we measured PM2.5, benzene, carbon monoxide concentrations and microclimate indicators in 180 gers, houses and apartments of Chingeltei and Bayangol districts. It is necessary to identify whether these pollutants concentrations have been changed in the households due to the ban on raw coal consumption since 15 May 2019. Therefore, in this study we aimed to compare if the indoor air pollutants had changed from the previous year in 2019. The goal of the study was to compare indoor air quality of gers/traditional lodging, houses and apartments by districts, by types of fuel and heating and to develop recommendations for further improvement of indoor air quality.
Indoor air pollution results from the burning of solid fuels such as crop waste, dung, charcoal and coal for cooking and heating in households. Burning these fuels produces particulate matter a major health risk, particularly for respiratory diseases. The burning of such fuels in enclosed spaces such as small households is a major risk factor for exacerbation of these diseases.
Low-income households tend to rely on solid fuels for cooking because cleaner fuels are either unavailable or too expensive. We therefore see a strong link between death rates from indoor air pollution and access to clean fuels for cooking.