Improving Indoor Air Quality in rural areas of Nepal with Chimney-Stove Systems
In rural areas of Nepal, for cultural and economic reasons, the main source of energy is firewood: families typically cook on an open fire made on the ground with three stones, without using a chimney. Ventilation, therefore, depends on doors and windows, which in cold weather may be shut or only slightly open️.
This results in high levels of indoor pollution that severely affect the health of the inhabitants, mainly women and children. In fact, Nepal is one of the countries with the highest levels of household air pollution. The World Health Organization estimates that every year toxic gases from kitchens cause the premature death of around 24,000 people.
Project Goal: Safe and Accessible Cooking
The aim of the research project is to promote the use of an Improved Chimney and Hood System (CHS), optimized to prevent indoor pollution in rural areas of Nepal, without interfering with people’s habits and customs and without requiring a large economic investment. By measuring air quality before and after installation and objectively assessing the health benefits —mainly for women and children— the project seeks to encourage easier adoption of this technology.
The initiative is coordinated by the Awasuka Programme (a cooperative project), with the participation of researchers from the B2SLab and BIOCOM-SC research groups.
Implementation and Results
From 2019 until mid-2023, 760 CHS systems have been installed in the municipalities of Bhimphedi, Bakaiya, and Dhunebesi (Nepal). For five months, indoor air quality was monitored in 10 homes before and after installation. A network of sensors measured particulates (PM), carbon dioxide, temperature, and humidity.
The CHS design is capable of extracting 90% of indoor smoke. Results showed that the average daily time with high PM levels decreased from 3.5 hours/day to 0.6 hours/day and the maximum CO₂ concentration dropped from 5,500 ppm to 2,000 ppm.
Additionally, 210 women were surveyed, half living with an improved CHS and half with traditional stoves. Women in households without the improved CHS reported significantly higher rates of fever, headaches, eye irritation, heart disease, and migraines.