Assessment of indoor air pollution levels and potential technology scenarios for air quality and climate co-benefits : a case study of Hatiya VDC, Makawanpur, Nepal | |
| Author | Rupakheti, Dipesh |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-12-07 |
| Subject(s) | Air quality--Nepal Air--Pollution--Nepal |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Black carbon (BC), a key component of particulate air pollutant, is linked to adverse effects on health, crops, hydrological cycle and climate change. A major source of particulate matter (PM) including BC is indoor cooking with biofuels in the developing countries. However, our knowledge on indoor concentration and properties of BC and PM is still inadequate in particular during cooking activities in rural kitchens. In order to get better insights into the levels of BC and PMx (PM1, PM2.5, PM4, PM10and TPM) concentrations in rural kitchens, a study was conducted with online monitoring of BC (Aethalometer AE 31, Magee Scientific, USA) and PMx (DustTrakTM DRX Model 8533, TSI Inc., USA) at two kitchens: one outside the house (Kitchen-I), another inside the house(Kitchen-II), and supplemented by a survey on types of kitchens and fuel use in Hatiya VDC, Makawanpur, Nepal. Both BC and PMx showed a clear diurnal pattern with two peaks coinciding with morning and evening cooking activities. The hourly averaged BC concentrations in Kitchen-I were found to be in the range 4.7-88 (average 20)μgm-3 while cooking with traditional cookstove under ventilated condition, and in the range 5-98 (average 28)μgm-3 under non-ventilated condition whereas average BC concentration while ICS was used under ventilated and non-ventilated conditions were in the range3-87 (average 18)μgm-3 and 0.8-107 (average 19)μgm-3 respectively. Kitchen-II also showed similar pattern with slightly different magnitude. The spectral dependence of light absorption showed enhanced absorption in the shorter wavelength than 700nm indicating the presence of brown carbon. Based in the emission inventory developed for the year 2012 for Makawanpur district by generalizing the survey results, it is found that if all wood are burnt in ICS (portable rocket stove) in this case, nearly 450 thousand tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (for 20 years horizon) of pollutants will be prevented from entering into the atmosphere which would also result in positive health outcomes. |
| Year | 2012 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Nguyen, Thi Kim Oanh; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Thammarat Koottatep;Panday, Arnico Kumar;Rupakheti, Maheswar; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | United Nations Environmental Program(UNEP);Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2012 |