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. 2018 Nov 12;15(11):2524.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph15112524.

Characteristics of Indoor PM2.5 Concentration in Gers Using Coal Stoves in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Miyoung Lim  1 , Sainnyambuu Myagmarchuluun  2 , Hyunkyung Ban  3 , Yunhyung Hwang  4 , Chimedsuren Ochir  5 , Delgerzul Lodoisamba  6 , Kiyoung Lee  7   8
Affiliations

Characteristics of Indoor PM2.5 Concentration in Gers Using Coal Stoves in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Miyoung Lim et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Coal combustion in ger areas is the main source of ambient air pollution in Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia). This study determined the characteristics of indoor PM2.5 concentrations in gers using coal stoves during winter. The study population consisted of 60 gers in the Chingeltei district of Ulaanbaatar. The indoor particle number concentration (PNC) in each ger was measured using a Dylos DC1700 particle counter for 24 h in January and February 2016. The PNC by Dylos was converted into the mass concentration using a calibration equation developed using a collocated real-time light scattering monitor adjusted by gravimetric measurement. The average 24 h PM2.5 concentration was 203.9 ± 195.1 μg/m³ in gers with traditional stoves (n = 29) and 257.5 ± 204.4 μg/m³ in those with improved stoves (n = 31). In the daily profile, concentrations were lower at night, increased in the early morning, and peaked up to noon. The temperature in gers was slightly higher than that recommended in winter. Many development-assistance programs have supported the installation of improved energy-efficient stoves. Better control measures are needed to improve the indoor air quality of gers.

Keywords: PM2.5; coal combustion; ger; indoor air quality; indoor stove.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Comparison of the particle number concentration (#×10−4/ft3) determined using the Dylos DC1700 and the filter-weighted PM2.5 concentration (μg/m3) determined using the MicroPEM.
Figure 2
Figure 2
(a) A traditional Mongolian stove and (b) the Ulzii stove, one of the four improved top-lit-updraft design (TLUD) stoves supported by the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA).
Figure 3
Figure 3
The 30 min average PM2.5 concentrations (μg/m3) in 60 gers according to stove type.
Figure 4
Figure 4
(a) Temperature and (b) relative humidity in 55 gers; outliers are beyond the 5th and 95th percentiles.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Peak occurrence rate (# of peaks/30 min) and peak magnitude (μg/m3) in 60 gers.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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