Journal Article

Biomass energy, particulate matter (PM2.5), and the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among Congolese women living near of a cement plant, in Kongo Central Province

Villanueva, Antonio F., Muchanga, Sifa M. J., Suganuma, Narufumi, Yasumitsu-Lovell, Kahoko, Shimotake, Yuki, Mori, Atsuko, Eitoku, Masamitsu, Hirota, Ryoji, Mbelambela, Etongola P., Sokolo, Gedikondele J.

2020

Overview

This study investigated whether the individual and combined effects of using biomass energy and living in the neighborhood of a cement plant were associated with the risk of COPD and respiratory symptoms among Congolese women. A total of 235 women from two neighborhood communities of a cement plant participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants were classified into the more exposed group (MEG = 137) and a less exposed group (LEG = 98), as well as into biomass users (wood = 85, charcoal = 49) or electricity users (101 participants). Participants completed a questionnaire including respiratory symptoms, sociodemographic factors, medical history, lifestyle, and household characteristics. In addition to spirometry performance, outdoor PM 2.5 (μg/m 3 ) was measured. Afternoon outdoor PM 2.5 concentration was significantly higher in MEG than LEG (48.8 (2.5) μg/m 3 vs 42.5 (1.5) μg/m 3 ). Compared to electricity users, wood users (aOR: 2.6, 95%CI 1.7; 5.9) and charcoal users (aOR: 2.9, 95%CI 1.4; 10.7) were at risk of developing airflow obstruction. Combined effects of biomass use and living in the neighborhood of a cement plant increased the risk of COPD in both wood users (aOR: 4, 95%CI 1.3; 12.2) and charcoal users (aOR: 3.1, 95%CI 1.7; 11.4). Exposure to biomass energy is associated with an increased risk of COPD. In addition, combined exposure to biomass and living near a cement plant had additive effects on COPD.

• Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Air flow / Aquatic Pollution / Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution / bioenergy / Biomass / Biomass energy / Biomass energy production / Cement / Cement plants / Charcoal / Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / Community participation / cross-sectional studies / Earth and Environmental Science / Ecotoxicology / Electricity / Environment / Environmental Chemistry / Environmental Health / Environmental science / Exposure / lifestyle / Lung diseases / medical history / Neighborhoods / Obstructive lung disease / Particulate matter / particulates / pollution / questionnaires / Research Article / respiratory tract diseases / Risk / Signs and symptoms / Waste Water Technology / Water Management / Water Pollution Control / wood