Biomass energy, particulate matter (PM2.5), and the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among Congolese women living near of a cement plant, in Kongo Central Province

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international 2020-11, Vol.27 (32), p.40706-40714
• Main Authors: Mbelambela, Etongola P., Muchanga, Sifa M. J., Villanueva, Antonio F., Eitoku, Masamitsu, Yasumitsu-Lovell, Kahoko, Hirota, Ryoji, Shimotake, Yuki, Sokolo, Gedikondele J., Mori, Atsuko, Suganuma, Narufumi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air flow; Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Biomass; Biomass energy; Biomass energy production; Cement; Cement plants; Charcoal; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Community participation; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Electricity; Energy; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental science; Exposure; Lung diseases; Neighborhoods; Obstructive lung disease; Particulate matter; Research Article; Risk; Signs and symptoms; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-10099-2

This study investigated whether the individual and combined effects of using biomass energy and living in the neighborhood of a cement plant were associated with the risk of COPD and respiratory symptoms among Congolese women. A total of 235 women from two neighborhood communities of a cement plant participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants were classified into the more exposed group (MEG = 137) and a less exposed group (LEG = 98), as well as into biomass users (wood = 85, charcoal = 49) or electricity users (101 participants). Participants completed a questionnaire including respiratory symptoms, sociodemographic factors, medical history, lifestyle, and household characteristics. In addition to spirometry performance, outdoor PM 2.5 (μg/m 3 ) was measured. Afternoon outdoor PM 2.5 concentration was significantly higher in MEG than LEG (48.8 (2.5) μg/m 3 vs 42.5 (1.5) μg/m 3 ). Compared to electricity users, wood users (aOR: 2.6, 95%CI 1.7; 5.9) and charcoal users (aOR: 2.9, 95%CI 1.4; 10.7) were at risk of developing airflow obstruction. Combined effects of biomass use and living in the neighborhood of a cement plant increased the risk of COPD in both wood users (aOR: 4, 95%CI 1.3; 12.2) and charcoal users (aOR: 3.1, 95%CI 1.7; 11.4). Exposure to biomass energy is associated with an increased risk of COPD. In addition, combined exposure to biomass and living near a cement plant had additive effects on COPD.