Impacts of limited fuel choices in Syrian refugee camps: A mixed-methods investigation into household energy practices and indoor air pollution

Abstract

This study investigates household fuel use, and its potential impacts on household energy practices and indoor air pollution in Syrian refugee camps. It covers the challenges faced by over a million displaced Syrians in 1293 refugee camps, focusing on the scarcity of fuels for heating and cooking and the consequent health risks due to indoor air pollution. A mixed methods approach was utilized, combining questionnaires from a sample of 439 participants, 75 % of them displaced, indoor air quality monitoring across 14 dwellings and in-depth interviews from 20 homes. The houses monitored were a mixture of apartments, tents, stone cement and containers; with fuel types ranging from diesel, coal and LPG to wood, olive husk and nut shells. The analysis reveals a significant correlation between the use of solid fuels in households and lack of ventilation with the increase in indoor air pollution, with maximum PM_2.5 concentrations above 114 μg/m³ and maximum TVOC concentrations above 1200 ppb, well above recommended threshold values. This is supported by 36 % of participants reporting health issues, highlighting substantial health risks associated with these practices. It also demonstrates the influence of dwelling typology and ventilation in thermal comfort and indoor air pollution, with containers performing the worst, reaching maximum CO₂ levels above 5000 ppb. The paper underscores the pressing need for improved energy solutions and better quality of homes in refugee camps to enhance living conditions and reduce health hazards. The research provides valuable insights into the intersection of energy use, environmental conditions, and human health in conflict-affected and resource-limited settings, offering a foundation for informed policy-making and targeted interventions to improve living conditions.