Sources of household air pollution and their association with fine particulate matter in low-income urban homes in India

INTRODUCTION: Household air pollution (HAP) is poorly characterized in low-income urban Indian communities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire assessing sources of HAP and 24-hour household concentrations of particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM(2.5)) were collected in a sample of low-income homes in Pune, India. RESULTS: In 166 homes, the median 24-hour average concentration of PM(2.5) was 167 µg/m(3) (IQR: 106 – 294). Although kerosene and wood use were highly prevalent (22% and 25% of homes, respectively), primarily as secondary fuel sources, high PM(2.5) concentrations were also found in 95 (57%) homes reporting LPG use alone (mean 141 µg/m(3); IQR: 92 – 209). In adjusted linear regression, log PM(2.5) concentration was positively associated with wood cooking fuel (GMR 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1 – 2.0), mosquito coils (GMR 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1 – 2.1), and winter season (GMR 1.7, 95% CI: 1.4 – 2.2). Households in the highest quartile of exposure were positively associated with wood cooking fuel (OR 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1 – 1.5), incense (OR 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0 – 1.3), mosquito coils (OR 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1 – 1.6), and winter season (OR 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1 – 1.4). DISCUSSION: We observed high concentrations of PM(2.5) and identified associated determinants in urban Indian homes.