RESUMO
In Ulaanbaatar roughly 60â¯% of the population live in traditional Mongolian yurts in the so-called Ger districts of the city. Winter indoor air quality is a serious concern in these districts as about 98â¯% of households consume solid fossil fuel (mainly coal). In our study, indoor air quality was assessed based on PAHs analysis and ecotoxicity testing of 24-hour samples collected in 4 yurts. Three of the selected yurts were equipped with conventional while the fourth one with improved stoves. Analysis of PAHs profiles showed the prevalence of higher molecular weight PAHs in all yurts. Concentrations of the 5-ring benzo(b)fluoranthene and 6-ring benzo(g.h.i)perylene were extremely high in one yurt using conventional stove, 8430⯵gâ¯g-1 and 6320⯵gâ¯g-1, respectively. Ecotoxicity of the samples was assessed using the kinetic version of the Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence inhibition bioassay. In concordance with PAHs concentrations, ecotoxicity was also the highest in that yurt.