The Effect of Household Energy Use on Residential Indoor Air Pollution in South East Nigeria

Abstract

The lack of data on the concentrations, sources and dynamics of pollutants makes management of household air quality ineffective. This PhD thesis focused on identifying pollutant sources and understanding the factors influencing indoor concentration levels and exposure in the home. A survey of 1698 urban and 287 rural homes and two one-week measurement campaigns showed that solid fuels, including charcoal, firewood and sawdust, are used in 95% of rural and 50% of urban homes for cooking. Kerosene lanterns and power generators provide lighting in 51% and 85% of urban and 72% and 43% of rural households, respectively, In addition, 78% of urban and 50% of rural families use mosquito repellants. The indoor no2, so2 and total volatile organic compound (tvoc) levels are 12–366 μg/m3, 3–21 μg/m3 and 26–841 μg/m3 in urban homes and 10–722 μg/m3, 3–101 μg/m3 and 2–673 μg/m3 in rural homes, indicating a potential health risk. The data will enable policy direction for effective air-quality management in Nigeria.