Biomass cooking carbon monoxide levels in commercial canteens in Kigali, Rwanda

Abstract

Carbon monoxide (CO) is harmful to human health, yet there is limited evidence concerning emissions associated with biomass fuel cooking in occupational settings. Real-time 48-hour monitoring of CO concentrations at breathing height, was undertaken in staff and student kitchen and serving areas of two commercial canteens. We characterized two diurnal CO peaks coinciding with cooking activities. Peak CO concentrations of 255.5 ppm and 1-hour average of 76.3 ppm (IQR: 57.8–109.0 ppm) were observed in the student kitchen; the staff kitchen levels were 208.5 ppm, and 76.3 ppm (IQR: 52.5–114.0 ppm), respectively. High magnitude CO concentrations (8-hour average: 40.7 ppm SD: 40.0 ppm) which exceed World Health Organisation (WHO) Indoor Air Quality standards were observed. Further investigation of personal exposure and health impacts among kitchen staff is required, to inform interventions in this setting.

Keywords:

• Biomass
• carbon monoxide
• charcoal
• commercial canteens
• indoor air pollution
• occupational exposure

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Dr Ignace Gatare, Principal of the University of Rwanda College of Science and Technology and all canteen and catering staff for their assistance with this study. In addition, to Pacifique Abimana, Patrick R Tumwizere and Clement Uwanyirigira, for their help in field observations.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest

Author contributions

SEB and TK were responsible for developing the study design and provided oversight for data analyses and interpretation. Primary data collection was undertaken by KW, SEB and TK. KW undertook data analysis and production of draft manuscript. SEB, FDP, GNT and KB provided advice for data collection, statistical analyses and data interpretation, along with commenting on the draft manuscript. MP provided advice on statistical analyses. All authors have read and approved the manuscript for publication.

Additional information

Funding

KW is supported by a University of Birmingham Global Challenges PhD Studentship, providing financial support for project fieldwork. Monitoring equipment purchase and maintenance was supported by a University of Birmingham Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic Support Fund (ISSF) award held by SEB.