Diverse Health, Gender and Economic Impacts from Domestic Transport of Water and Solid Fuel: A Systematic Review.

(1) Background: Water and solid fuel collection and transport are domestic duties for millions of households across the globe. People in areas with limited or no access to safely managed sources of water and household energy must fetch these resources on a frequent basis. The health, gender, and economic impacts associated with water and solid fuel collection labor have not been systematically reviewed. (2) Methods: Studies were identified through database searches and included using a list of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Studies were summarized and grouped into one of eight thematic categories. (4) Conclusions: The findings suggest that a diverse and heavy health burden is associated with water and solid fuel collection and transport. The literature also suggests that the provision of safely managed and accessible water and improved fuel options can mitigate these negative outcomes. Filling research gaps and utilizing results to guide policy and funding would likely be an effective way to ensure low- and middle-income countries are not left behind as the world strives to meet the sustainable development goals.

Modeling approaches and performance for estimating personal exposure to household air pollution: A case study in Kenya.

This study assessed the performance of modeling approaches to estimate personal exposure in Kenyan homes where cooking fuel combustion contributes substantially to household air pollution (HAP). We measured emissions (PM2.5 , black carbon, CO); household air pollution (PM2.5 , CO); personal exposure (PM2.5 , CO); stove use; and behavioral, socioeconomic, and household environmental characteristics (eg, ventilation and kitchen volume). We then applied various modeling approaches: a single-zone model; indirect exposure models, which combine person-location and area-level measurements; and predictive statistical models, including standard linear regression and ensemble machine learning approaches based on a set of predictors such as fuel type, room volume, and others. The single-zone model was reasonably well-correlated with measured kitchen concentrations of PM2.5 (R2  = 0.45) and CO (R2  = 0.45), but lacked precision. The best performing regression model used a combination of survey-based data and physical measurements (R2  = 0.76) and a root mean-squared error of 85 µg/m3 , and the survey-only-based regression model was able to predict PM2.5 exposures with an R2 of 0.51. Of the machine learning algorithms evaluated, extreme gradient boosting performed best, with an R2 of 0.57 and RMSE of 98 µg/m3 .

The Shamba Chef Educational Entertainment Program to Promote Modern Cookstoves in Kenya: Outcomes and Dose-Response Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Globally, an estimated 3.6 billion people rely on solid fuels for cooking over open fires or in simple cookstoves. Universal access to clean cooking fuels and technology by 2030 is a United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal. METHODS: The Mediae Company created a home makeover television and radio show, Shamba Chef, designed to promote modern, cleaner, safer cooking methods and improved nutrition in Kenya, which reached 5 million homes in late 2017. This was accompanied by a mobile phone platform called iChef. Researchers evaluated the effects of Shamba Chef on cookstove purchase, use, and attitudes, beliefs, and intentions. RESULTS: The study revealed dose-response effects of Shamba Chef exposure on several key outcomes. Exposure to the program was associated with an awareness of improved biomass stoves (OR 4.4; 95% CI 2.8 to 6.9), and aspirations to own an improved biomass stove (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.4 to 2.9). Receiving information about modern stoves from two or more sources generated greater awareness of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stoves (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.3 to 3.1). The qualitative study revealed that Shamba Chef explained how the stoves worked, communicated their benefits, and encouraged participants to trust and purchase those cookstoves. CONCLUSION: Shamba Chef was successful in influencing determinants of cookstove purchase and use, and there is evidence from the qualitative study that it influenced the purchase and use of improved biomass stoves.

Emission Performance and User Acceptance of a Catalytic Biomass Cookstove in Rural Guatemala.

A catalytic rocket stove was developed to reduce emissions and improve efficiency compared to open cooking fires or traditional semienclosed cookstoves, called poyos, typical of rural Guatemala. Traditional stoves often emit particulate matter and carbon monoxide at sufficient levels to cause respiratory illnesses and other health problems. Using focus group results, the stove was tailored to the needs of Guatemalan cooks. Field trial participants were provided with stove training to ensure that stoves were operated correctly. Somewhat surprisingly, the field trial demonstrated a high level of user acceptance in rural Guatemala, where users cooked 93% of the time with the catalytic stove despite having to change some cooking practices. In the field trial, the stove reduced emissions by as much as 68% and improved fuel efficiency by as much as 61% during real-world cooking events relative to the traditional poyo. An additional qualitative portion of the field study identified strengths and weaknesses of the stove that are being addressed as part of an iterative design process.