Particulate Matter Exposure during Domestic Work in Nepal

Abstract

Those involved in domestic work in rural Nepal are exposed to average respirable dust concentrations of approximately 1400 microg m(-3). Converted to an 8-h TWA, this equates to more than the current UK limit for respirable dust (4000 microg m(-3)). Homemakers, primarily women, spend a large proportion of their lives indoors in these high respirable dust concentrations and these exposures are likely to produce respiratory illness. Exposure can be controlled by the use of different fuel types and/or the use of flued stoves.