Indoor particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in mean aerodynamic diameter (PM[SUB]2.5[/SUB] ) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) levels during the burning of mosquito coils and their association with respiratory health Devashri Salvi; Sneha Limaye; Veena Muralidharan; Jyoti Londhe; Sapna Madas; Sanjay Juvekar; Shyam Biswal; Sundeep Salvi
Author and Funding Information
Chest. 2015. doi:10.1378/chest.14-2554
[h=2]Abstract[/h]
[h=6][/h]
Background: An estimated 700 million people suffer from mosquito borne diseases worldwide. Various types of mosquito repellents are widely used to prevent mosquito bites.
Aims: (a) To measure the indoor levels of PM[SUB]2.5[/SUB] and CO during the burning of Mosquito Coils (MCs) and study the impact of indoor ventilation patterns. (b) Study and compare the prevalence of respiratory ailments in homes using different types of mosquito repellents.
Methods: Indoor PM[SUB]2.5[/SUB] and CO levels were measured inside a bedroom during the burning of MCs keeping the window and/or door open/closed over a six hour duration. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 3 villages where 465 individuals were administered a questionnaire that captured demographic details, type and duration of mosquito repellents used and prevalence of respiratory symptoms and diseases.
Results: 53% of the subjects burnt MCs on most days of the week and 63% did so with their doors and windows closed. Burning of MCs produced very high levels of PM[SUB]2.5[/SUB] (1031 ?g/m[SUP]3[/SUP] mean, 1613 ?g/m[SUP]3[/SUP] peak ) and CO (6.50 ppm mean, 10.27 ppm peak) when both the door and window were closed. These levels reduced by around 50% when the window was opened and more than 95% when both the window and the door were opened. The prevalence rates of respiratory symptoms and diseases were higher in subjects using MCs although not statistically significant. Those living in smaller homes and using MCs had significantly greater morbidity.
Conclusion: Burning of MC produces indoor levels of PM[SUB]2.5[/SUB] and CO that are higher than those reported during the burning of biomass fuels for cooking purposes and may be associated with respiratory morbidity.
