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Gaseous Air Pollutants and Respirable Crystalline Silica Inside and Outside Homes at Brick Kilns in Bhaktapur, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Author

Listed:
  • John D. Beard

    (Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA)

  • Steven M. Thygerson

    (Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA)

  • Alisandra Olivares

    (Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA)

  • Jaxson E. Tadje

    (Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA)

  • Selah Willis

    (Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA)

  • James D. Johnston

    (Department of Public Health, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA)

Abstract

Household and ambient air pollution remain public health problems in much of the world. Brick kiln employees in Nepal may be particularly at risk of high air pollution exposures and resulting health effects due to high levels of outdoor air pollution, substandard housing, and indoor biomass cooking. We conducted a cross-sectional study of indoor and outdoor air pollution concentrations at workers’ homes at four fixed chimney Bull’s trench brick kilns in Bhaktapur, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. We measured air concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), and respirable crystalline silica (SiO 2 ; cristobalite, quartz, tridymite) using established methods and conducted a survey about characteristics of homes or samples that may be associated with air pollution concentrations. Geometric mean concentrations of CO, CO 2 , and SiO 2 (quartz) were 0.84 ppm, 1447.34 ppm, and 6.22 µg/m 3 , respectively, whereas concentrations of all other air pollutants measured below lower detection limits. Most characteristics of homes or samples were not associated with air pollution concentrations. We found a positive association between the variable how long lived in house and SiO 2 (quartz) concentrations, which may reflect sustained take-home exposure to SiO 2 (quartz) over time. Interventions should focus on administrative controls to reduce take-home exposure to SiO 2 (quartz) in this population.

Suggested Citation

  • John D. Beard & Steven M. Thygerson & Alisandra Olivares & Jaxson E. Tadje & Selah Willis & James D. Johnston, 2022. "Gaseous Air Pollutants and Respirable Crystalline Silica Inside and Outside Homes at Brick Kilns in Bhaktapur, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12431-:d:929242
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. James D. Johnston & Megan E. Hawks & Haley B. Johnston & Laurel A. Johnson & John D. Beard, 2020. "Comparison of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Cookstoves and Wood Cooking Fires on PM 2.5 Trends in Brick Workers’ Homes in Nepal," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-16, August.
    2. Steven M. Thygerson & John D. Beard & Marion J. House & Rilee L. Smith & Hunter C. Burbidge & Kathryn N. Andrus & Frank X. Weber & Ryan Chartier & James D. Johnston, 2019. "Air-Quality Assessment of On-Site Brick-Kiln Worker Housing in Bhaktapur, Nepal: Chemical Speciation of Indoor and Outdoor PM 2.5 Pollution," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-19, October.
    3. Dhakal, Shobhakar, 2003. "Implications of transportation policies on energy and environment in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 31(14), pages 1493-1507, November.
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