Estimation of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) due to Burning of Household Biomass Fuel and Assessment of Health Risk among Women in Rural West Bengal

Abstract

More than 75% population living in rural sectors in India and mostly rely on biomass fuels due to their easy availability. Here in this study we examined the health risk from the smoke emitted due burning of biomass fuels while cooking in rural houses in West Bengal. Out of numerous gaseous pollutant this study selected NO2 component to find out the health risk of women. NO2 has been monitored in kitchen and adjacent living room in N= 30 households in three season namely summer, monsoon and winter, respectively. Study results found that highest NO2 concentration found in kitchen room than in living room in all seasons and the difference between the concentrations showed significant results (< 0.001). However, ANOVA analysis has been done to check the seasonal variation within the kitchen and living room NO2 concentrations and results have revealed that there was significant (< 0.001) difference present within kitchen and living room concentration seasonally. Moreover, women health risk were assessed with established empirical model. Results showedthathere were no immediate acute health risk present among women whereas women possessed chronic health risk (HQ > 1) from kitchen room NO2 concentration. This study concluded that NO2 has chronic health effects on women who habituated to continue cooking with unprocessed biomass fuels. Study also suggested to use more clean fuel like LPG, electric and solar energy for daily use and in this respect PMUY is doing a significant work.