Air Quality Guidelines Global Update 2005 - World Health ...

How assessed
INDOOR AIR QUALITY
National censuses, other population sample
surveys, ad hoc studies.
National censuses, other population sample
surveys, ad hoc studies.
Ad hoc household studies to measure PM, carbon
monoxide or other pollutants in the kitchen. In
some cases, studies would also include personal
exposure of cooks and young children or other
vulnerable family members. Relatively few such
studies in any given country can be expected in the
short term, but should be encouraged as capacity
is extended.
Ad hoc household studies, and in time and as
measurement technology evolves as sub-studies,
which are part of larger-scale sample surveys to
measure PM, carbon monoxide or other pollutants
in the kitchen. In some cases, studies would also
include personal exposure of cooks and young
children or other vulnerable family members.
Application to standards
207
Realistic targets to be set for coverage
(percentage of homes) to be increased over, for
example, a 5–10-year period, as appropriate .
Realistic targets to be set for coverage
(percentage of homes) to be increased over, for
example, a 5–10-year period, as appropriate.
Guidelines would indicate the range of, for
example, 24-hour average PM10 expected in a
kitchen with an improved biomass stove with
chimney. Levels high in the range would indicate
poor design, condition or use, while levels low
in the range would indicate a well-functioning
device and appropriate use.
The guidelines would be used to set standards
to be achieved in all homes, as it becomes more
realistic to do so, and when it becomes practical
to monitor pollution in representative samples of
homes on a periodic basis while patterns of fuel
and stove use indicate that this remains a cost-effective
component of risk-reduction strategies.
provide a basis for the further development of indicators and targets appropriate
to national and local circumstances.
A valuable background activity that will serve to prioritize action on setting
and implementing guidelines in a country is the calculation of national burden
of disease from the use of solid fuels. An example for Kenya is shown in Table 8.
Guidance on this is now available from WHO (77). The method yields lower,
central and upper estimates of disease burden, and will allow comparison with
the burden resulting from other risk factors and diseases in the country. It is
hoped that the air quality guidelines framework proposed in Table 7, together
with the accompanying background information, will provide momentum for
moving towards effective and widespread management of indoor air pollution in
the developing world.
References
1. Zhang J, Smith KR. Indoor air pollution: a global health concern. BMJ, 2003,
67:209–225.
2. The right to healthy indoor air. Report on a WHO Meeting, Bilthoven, The
Netherlands, 15–17 May 2000. Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for
Europe, 2000 (document EUR/00/5020494) (www.euro.who.int/document/
e69828.pdf, accessed 1 October 2006).