title: Chemical characterization of biomass fuel particulate deposits and ashes in households of Mt. Everest region (NEPAL).
abstract: During a sampling campaign, carried out during June 2012, inside some traditional households located in four villages (Phakding, Namche, Pangboche and Tukla) of Mt. Everest region in southern part of the central Himalaya (Nepal), particulate matter (PM) depositions and ashes have been collected. Moreover, outdoor PM depositions have also been analyzed. Chemical characterization of PM depositions and ashes for major ions, organic carbon, elemental carbon (EC), metal content and PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) allowed identifying, as major contributes to indoor PM, the following sources: biomass burning, cooking and chimney ashes. These sources significantly affect outdoor PM depositions: in-house biomass burning is the major source for outdoor EC and K+as well as biomass burning and cooking activities are the major sources for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons.
authors: Water Research Institute, National Research Council, via F. de Blasio 5, 70132 Bari, Italy; Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, National Research Council, s.p. Lecce-Monteroni km 1,2, 73100 Lecce, Italy. Electronic address: piera.ielpo@ba.irsa.cnr.it.
authors: Pierina
authors: P
authors: Ielpo
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Milan, via Golgi 19, 20133 Milan, Italy.
authors: Paola
authors: P
authors: Fermo
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Milan, via Golgi 19, 20133 Milan, Italy.
authors: Valeria
authors: V
authors: Comite
authors: Water Research Institute, National Research Council, Via Salaria km 29,300, C.P. 10 00015 Monterotondo, St. (RM), Italy.
authors: Domenico
authors: D
authors: Mastroianni
authors: Water Research Institute, National Research Council, via del Mulino 19, 20861 Brugherio, Italy.
authors: Gaetano
authors: G
authors: Viviano
authors: Water Research Institute, National Research Council, via del Mulino 19, 20861 Brugherio, Italy.
authors: Franco
authors: F
authors: Salerno
authors: Water Research Institute, National Research Council, via del Mulino 19, 20861 Brugherio, Italy.
authors: Gianni
authors: G
authors: Tartari
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D018533:Biomass; D003296:Cooking; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D009390:Nepal; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter
keywords: Ash; Metals; PAHs; PM indoor; Remote area