Seasonal concentrations and determinants of indoor particulate matter in a low-income community in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Indoor exposure to particulate matter (PM) increases the risk of acute lower respiratory tract infections, which are the leading cause of death in young children in Bangladesh. Few studies, however, have measured children's exposures to indoor PM over time. The World Health Organization recommends that daily indoor concentrations of PM less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) not exceed 25 μg/m3. This study aimed to describe the seasonal variation and determinants of concentrations of indoor PM2.5 in a low-income community in urban Dhaka, Bangladesh. PM2.5 was measured in homes monthly during May 2009 to April 2010. We calculated the time-weighted average, 90th percentile PM2.5 concentrations and the daily hours PM2.5 exceeded 100 μg/m3. Linear regression models were used to estimate the associations between fuel use, ventilation, indoor smoking, and season to each metric describing indoor PM2.5 concentrations. Time-weighted average PM2.5 concentrations were 190 μg/m3 (95% CI 170–210). Sixteen percent of 258 households primarily used biomass fuels for cooking and PM2.5 concentrations in these homes had average concentrations 75 μg/m3 (95% CI 56–124) greater than other homes. PM2.5 concentrations were also associated with burning both biomass and kerosene, indoor smoking, and ventilation, and were more than twice as high during winter than during other seasons. Young children in this community are exposed to indoor PM2.5 concentrations 7 times greater than those recommended by World Health Organization guidelines. Interventions to reduce biomass burning could result in a daily reduction of 75 μg/m3 (40%) in time-weighted average PM2.5 concentrations.

► We described the determinants of indoor particulate matter in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
► Particulate matter concentrations were 7 times higher than recommended levels.
► All homes had high levels of particulate matter, regardless of cooking fuel type.
► The strongest determinant of indoor particulate matter was season.