| Contributed by
Dr Karabi Dutta |
| 12 September 2007 |
Completion of Indoor Air Pollution Baseline Dataset by Christina Mandzuk & Lynette Schrowe, 26 July 2007. A brief outline of the study is being presented here based on the report submitted by Christina Mandzuk & Lynette Schrowe, MPH Candidates on July 26,2007.
The Honduras Lorena Stove Project is a cooperative effort between the Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSOM), Department of Family Medicine (DFM) and the IUSOM, Department of Public Health (DPH).Representatives from the IUSOM/DFH along with representatives from the IUSOM, DPH began working collaboratively and utilized resources from both departments to apply the teachings and methods to intervene on behalf of the underserved rural communities in Honduras.
In the pre-planning phases, a rural village of Sabanas, Talube, Honduras,a Honduran village was selected based on need, size, ease of access and willingness to participate.
Phase I was initiated in February 2007,The objectives of this phase included:
- To quantify the amount of indoor air pollution in each home resulting from wood burning stoves.
- Obtain health and environmental data from each resident to create a unique and complete baseline database.
In May 2007, Phase II of the Lorena Stove Project was initiated in the rural village of Sabanas, Talube, Honduras.
The objectives of Phase II included, - Collecting baseline data on respiratory health, total suspended particulates (TSP), carbon monoxide (CO),
- An environmental survey and
- Construction of a prototype stove.
Survey results were collected from the entire Sabanas population of 163 people. The average TSP level was 525.89 micrograms per meter cubed (μg/m3). The average CO level was 5.11 parts per million (ppm). There was a positive correlation between CO and TSP levels. The results show an association between TSP levels and respiratory health. A prototype Justa stove was constructed using local materials and skilled labor.
This intervention was effective in improving indoor air quality based on the CO readings.
Phase III, anticipated for February 2008, will document respiratory health post intervention. The end goal of the project is to provide and document health effects based on a selected intervention and, to a lesser extent, economic benefits to the remote rural village through the installation of more fuel efficient cook stoves.
For the detailed report click here (PDF format 611KB)
|
|
