American Association for Aerosol Research - Abstract Submission

AAAR 33rd Annual Conference
October 20 - October 24, 2014
Rosen Shingle Creek
Orlando, Florida, USA

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Assessment of Alternatives to Indoor Stove Use on the Navajo Nation

WYATT CHAMPION, Barbara Klein, Perry Charley, Avery Denny, James McKenzie, Kathleen Stewart, Paul A. Solomon, Lupita Montoya, University of Colorado Boulder

Abstract Number: 96
Working Group: Biomass Burning Aerosol: From Emissions to Impacts

Abstract
The combustion of wood and coal indoors is prevalent in the Navajo Nation, due largely to the low cost and availability of these fuels. The pollutants produced from the combustion of these solids fuels, principally fine particulate matter (PM2.5), have been associated with negative health effects in humans including asthma exacerbation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and increased mortality. Through the identification and implementation of heating alternatives for the Navajo Nation, pollutants emitted indoors (and their subsequent transport outdoors) can be decreased, potentially improving the respiratory and circulatory health of residents. Some of the alternatives identified include integration of active and passive solar technologies, the use of gas stoves for heating, and the repair and insulation of exiting solid-fuel stoves. Cultural acceptance, economic considerations, and other limitations were assessed for each of the alternatives, and recommendations were made for future heating interventions. The characterization of emissions from the combustion of the solid fuels used in the Navajo Nation has been proposed as well, using an Aprovecho Portable Emissions Monitoring System (PEMS) and standardized protocols. The emissions of particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO) and elemental constituents from wood and coal combustion are being characterized and their potential health effects evaluated. Energy access in Native Nations is complex, but an appreciation of cultural and economic limitations can be useful for assessing the effectiveness of proposed energy alternatives.