The relationship between thermal comfort and indoor PM4 mass concentration within low-cost houses in Ikageng

Abstract

Solid fuels (wood, coal, and biomass) are used as alternative energy sources in South Africa, predominantly in low-income households. Space heating using wood is a common practice to obtain thermal comfort. Consequently, this practice has health-related risks as people are exposed to harmful gasses and particles (e.g. PM4) emitted from the combustion process. This study was designed to examine temperature ranges and PM4 mass concentration within low-income houses using Thermochron i-Button temperature sensors, a TSI DustrTrak Photometric Monitor and a TSI SidePak Aerosol Monitor. Open-ended questionnaires and census data were used to determine solid fuels dominantly used and the resident's fuel use habits. Ikageng is 90.5% electrified, however various solid fuels are used in the community and wood is prominent. The main reason for solid fuel use was noted to be space-heating followed by cooking. Data from thermal sensors reflects that temperature within households goes below 16°C for at least 29% of the sample duration. This occurs when no energy is used for space heating, thus exposing inhabitants to thermal stress. Only one house was completely reliant on solid fuels. When compared to the other houses, PM4 levels were high by a factor of 8 in the house reliant on solid fuels indicating that the use of domestic solid fuels exposes families to very high PM4 concentration