Evaluation of Indoor PM2.5 concentrations in a Native American community: A pilot study

Nan Ji; Ana Rule; Robert Weatherholtz; Lynn M. Crosby; Joseph E. Bunnell; William H. Orem; Raymond R. Reid; Mathuram Santosham; Laura L. Hammitt; Katherine L. O’Brien

doi:10.1038/s41370-021-00373-x

Evaluation of Indoor PM_2.5 concentrations in a Native American community: A pilot study

Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology (JESEE)

By: Nan Ji, Ana Rule, Robert Weatherholtz, Lynn M. Crosby, Joseph E. Bunnell, William H. Orem, Raymond R. Reid, Mathuram Santosham, Laura L. Hammitt, and Katherine L. O’Brien

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-021-00373-x

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Abstract

Background

Indoor air pollution is associated with adverse health effects; however, few studies exist studying indoor air pollution on the Navajo Nation in the southwest U.S., a community with high rates of respiratory disease.

Methods

Indoor PM_2.5 concentration was evaluated in 26 homes on the Navajo Nation using real-time PM_2.5 monitors. Household risk factors and daily activities were evaluated with three metrics of indoor PM_2.5: time-weighted average (TWA), 90th percentile of concentration, and daily minutes exceeding 100 μg/m³. A questionnaire and recall sheet were used to record baseline household characteristics and daily activities.

Results

The median TWA, 90th percentile, and daily minutes exceeding 100 μg/m³ were 7.9 μg/m³, 14.0 μg/m³_, and 17 min, respectively. TWAs tended to be higher in autumn and in houses that used fuel the previous day. Other characteristics associated with elevated PM exposure in all metrics included overcrowded houses, nonmobile houses, and houses with current smokers, pets, and longer cooking time.

Conclusions

Some residents of the Navajo Nation have higher risk of exposure to indoor air pollution by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. Efforts to identify the causes and associations with adverse health effects are needed to ensure that exposure to risks and possible health impacts are mitigated.

Additional publication details
Publication type	Article
Publication Subtype	Journal Article
Title	Evaluation of Indoor PM2.5 concentrations in a Native American community: A pilot study
Series title	Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology (JESEE)
DOI	10.1038/s41370-021-00373-x
Volume	32
Year Published	2022
Language	English
Publisher	Nature Publications
Contributing office(s)	Eastern Energy Resources Science Center
Description	9 p.
First page	554
Last page	562
Google Analytic Metrics	Metrics page