title: Indoor air pollution and the health of children in biomass- and fossil-fuel users of Bangladesh: situation in two different seasons.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Indoor air pollution levels are reported to be higher with biomass fuel, and a number of respiratory diseases in children are associated with pollution from burning such fuel. However, little is known about the situation in developing countries. The aim of the study was to compare indoor air pollution levels and prevalence of symptoms in children between biomass- and fossil-fuel-using households in different seasons in Bangladesh.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a cross-sectional study among biomass- (n = 42) and fossil-fuel (n = 66) users having children <5 years in Moulvibazar and Dhaka, Bangladesh. Health-related information of one child from each family was retrieved once in winter (January 2008) and once in summer (June 2008). The measured pollutants were carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO(2)), dust particles, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and nitrogen dioxide.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean concentration of dust particles and geometric mean concentrations of VOCs such as benzene, toluene, and xylene, which were significantly higher in biomass- than fossil-fuel-users' kitchens (p < 0.05), were significantly higher in winter than in summer (p < 0.05). Levels of CO and CO(2), which were significantly higher in biomass than fossil-fuel users (p < 0.05), were significantly higher in summer than winter (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was found in the occurrence of symptoms between biomass- and fossil-fuel users either in winter or in summer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was suggested that the measured indoor air pollution did not directly result in symptoms among children. Other factors may be involved.
authors: Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
authors: Md
authors: M
authors: Khalequzzaman
authors: Michihiro
authors: M
authors: Kamijima
authors: Kiyoshi
authors: K
authors: Sakai
authors: Bilqis Amin
authors: BA
authors: Hoque
authors: Tamie
authors: T
authors: Nakajima