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Time budgets of infants for exposure assessment: a methodological study
P Malhotra1, S Saksena, V Joshi
1Tata Energy Research Institute, New Delhi, India. preetim@teri.res.in
Summary
Exposure to indoor air pollution from cooking fuels significantly impacts infant health. Infants spent more time in non-cooking areas, regardless of fuel type, suggesting other factors influence exposure to respirable suspended particles (RSPs) and carbon monoxide (CO).
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Indoor air pollution from household cooking fuels is a major environmental health concern, particularly in developing regions.
- Acute respiratory infection (ARI) in infants is a significant cause of mortality, with indoor air pollution suspected as a key risk factor.
- Accurate exposure assessment is crucial for understanding the link between indoor air pollution and infant ARI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To objectively test the hypothesis that exposure to pollutants from low-grade cooking fuels is a significant risk factor for ARI in infants (0-12 months).
- To estimate daily integrated exposure of infants and mothers to respirable suspended particles (RSPs) and carbon monoxide (CO) during the winter season.
- To apply the microenvironment approach for collecting time budget data to assess indoor air pollution exposure.
Main Methods:
- The microenvironment approach was used, dividing the day into distinct zones based on infant and mother mobility patterns.
- Time budgets were prepared to determine the duration spent in each microenvironment.
- Two measurement methods (recall and direct observation) were compared for time spent cooking and near the stove, showing low correlation.
Main Results:
- Infants in kerosene-using households spent 68% of cooking time near the stove, compared to 44% in wood-using households (recall method: 84% vs. 63%).
- Infants consistently spent more time in indoor non-cooking microenvironments, irrespective of fuel type or slum setting.
- Limited correlation was found between recall and direct observation methods for time spent near the stove.
Conclusions:
- The microenvironment approach provides a framework for assessing integrated daily exposure to indoor air pollutants.
- Infant proximity to cooking stoves varies by fuel type, but non-cooking indoor environments are dominant.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the relationship between cooking fuel exposure, microenvironment use, and infant ARI.