Below are abstracts of 3 studies authored or co-authored by Duncan Fullerton and that were published from 2008 – March 2010.
1. Occup Environ Med. 2009 Nov;66(11):777-83.
Biomass fuel use and indoor air pollution in homes in Malawi.
Fullerton DG, Semple S, Kalambo F, Suseno A, Malamba R, Henderson G, Ayres JG, Gordon SB.
duncan.fullerton@liverpool.ac.uk
BACKGROUND: Air pollution from biomass fuels in Africa is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity both in adults and children. The work describes the nature and quantity of smoke exposure from biomass fuel in Malawian homes.
METHODS: Markers of indoor air quality were measured in 62 homes (31 rural and 31 urban) over a typical 24 h period. Four different devices were used (one gravimetric device, two photometric devices and a carbon monoxide (HOBO) monitor. Gravimetric samples were analysed for transition metal content. Data on cooking and lighting fuel type together with information on indicators of socioeconomic status were collected by questionnaire.
RESULTS: Respirable dust levels in both the urban and rural environment were high with the mean (SD) 24 h average levels being 226 microg/m(3) (206 microg/m(3)). Data from real-time instruments indicated respirable dust concentrations were >250 microg/m(3) for >1 h per day in 52% of rural homes and 17% of urban homes. Average carbon monoxide levels were significantly higher in urban compared with rural homes (6.14 ppm vs 1.87 ppm; p<0.001). The transition metal content of the smoke was low, with no significant difference found between urban and rural homes.
CONCLUSIONS: Indoor air pollution levels in Malawian homes are high. Further investigation is justified because the levels that we have demonstrated are hazardous and are likely to be damaging to health. Interventions should be sought to reduce exposure to concentrations less harmful to health.
2. Trop Med Int Health. 2009 Mar;14(3):349-54.
Domestic smoke exposure is associated with alveolar macrophage particulate load.
Fullerton DG, Jere K, Jambo K, Kulkarni NS, Zijlstra EE, Grigg J, French N, Molyneux ME, Gordon SB.
duncan.fullerton@liverpool.ac.uk
OBJECTIVES: Indoor air pollution is associated with impaired respiratory health. The pre-dominant indoor air pollutant to which two billion of the world’s population is exposed is biomass fuel smoke. We tested the hypothesis that reported smoke exposure in men and women is associated with increased alveolar macrophage uptake of biomass smoke particulates.
METHODS: Healthy volunteers attending for research bronchoscopy in Malawi completed a questionnaire assessment of smoke exposure. Particulate matter visible in alveolar macrophages (AM) was quantified using digital image analysis. The geometric mean of the percentage area of the cytoplasm occupied by particulates in 50 cover-slip adherent AM was calculated and termed particulate load.
RESULTS: In 57 subjects (40 men and 17 women) there was a significant difference between the particulate load in groups divided according to pre-dominant lighting form used at home (ANOVA P = 0.0009) and type of cooking fuel (P = 0.0078).
CONCLUSIONS: Particulate load observed in macrophages is associated with the reported type of biomass fuel exposure. Macrophage function in relation to respiratory health should now be investigated in biomass smoke exposed subjects.
3. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2008 Sep;102(9):843-51.
Indoor air pollution from biomass fuel smoke is a major health concern in the developing world.
Fullerton DG, Bruce N, Gordon SB. Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place,
duncan.fullerton@liverpool.ac.uk
One-third of the world’s population burn organic material such as wood, dung or charcoal (biomass fuel) for cooking, heating and lighting. This form of energy usage is associated with high levels of indoor air pollution and an increase in the incidence of respiratory infections, including pneumonia, tuberculosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, low birthweight, cataracts, cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality both in adults and children. The mechanisms behind these associations are not fully understood. This review summarises the available information on biomass fuel use and health, highlighting the current gaps in knowledge.
