Indoor pollutions and the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among highlanders in Kyrgyzstan

Background: In Kyrgyzstan, the highest rates of mortality from chronic respiratory diseases, especially among highlanders, and as a major risk factor may be the indoor pollution because mountaineers use only biomass for cooking and heating, and in poorly ventilated rooms. Objective: Evaluation the level of indoor pollution and the frequency of respiratory symptoms among highlanders in Kyrgyzstan. Methods: For determine the indoor pollution we studied the level of respirable particles PM2.5 in the air in 37 homes on the Aksai high altitude plateau located 3200-3800 meters above sea level with using special equipment TSI SidePak AM510 Personal Aerosol Monitor. We looked also of carbon monoxide (CO) in houses . We investigated the frequency of respiratory symptoms among residents of these houses. Results: All mountaineers use of biomass for cooking and heating in all the 37 houses that we have investigated.We found high levels of indoor pollution in houses of highlanders, and it was confirmed by the high values of respirable particles PM2.5 in the air in these houses. Thus, the maximum value of the respirable particles PM2,5 (Maxmg/m 3 ) was 7,03 ± 1,146. The average value PM2,5 (Avgmg/m 3 ) - 0,289 ± 0,066, and TWA (8 hr) was 0,169 ± 0,037. Importantly, that we also found higher values of carbon monoxide (COppm) - 1,5 ± 0,411. We found a strong association of indoor pollution with a frequency of respiratory symptoms: 46% of residents had a cough, 17.3% had dyspnea and wheezing. Conclusions: Preliminary results demonstrate that in the houses of the inhabitants of the highlands of Kyrgyzstan has a high level of indoor air pollution and frequent respiratory symptoms .