UC Berkeley

BACKGROUND: Scientific understanding of indoor air pollution is predominately based on research carried out in cities in high-income countries (HICs). Less is known about how pollutant concentrations change over the course of a typical day in cities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).OBJECTIVE: To understand how concentrations of fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM_2.5) change over the course of the day outdoors (across a range of countries) and indoors (using measurements from Dhaka, Bangladesh).DESIGN: Data on PM_2.5 concentrations were gathered from 779 households in Dhaka as part of the MCLASS II (Muslim Communities Learning About Second-hand Smoke in Bangladesh) project, and compared to outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations to determine the temporal variation in exposure to air pollution. Hourly PM_2.5 data from 23 cities in 14 LMICs, as well as London (UK), Paris (France) and New York (NY, USA), were extracted from publicly available sources for comparison.RESULTS: PM_2.5 in homes in Dhaka demonstrated a similar temporal pattern to outdoor measurements, with greater concentrations at night than in the afternoon. This pattern was also evident in 19 of 23 LMIC cities.CONCLUSION: PM_2.5 concentrations are greater at night than during the afternoon in homes in Dhaka. Diurnal variations in PM_2.5 in LMICs is substantial and greater than in London, Paris or New York. This has implications for public health community approaches to health effects of air pollution in LMICs.