Abstract

Introduction. Air pollution by particulate matter (PM) is a major public health problem. In Chile, the study has focused on outdoor air and PM10, rather than indoor air and PM2.5. Because newborns and infants spend most of their time at home, it is necessary to evaluate the exposure to indoor air pollution in this susceptible population. Objective. To determine concentration of PM2.5 in the homes of newborns and identify the emission sources of the pollutants. Patients and Method. The PM2.5 concentration ([PM2.5]) was collected over a 24 hour period in 207 households. Baseline sociodemographic information and environmental factors (heating, ventilation, smoking and house cleaning), were collected. Results. The median [PM2.5] was 107.5 μg/m3. Family history of asthma was associated with lower [PM2.5] (P = .0495). Homes without heating showed a lower median [PM2.5], 58.6 μg/m3, while those using firewood, kerosene, and electricity ranged between 112.5 and 114.9, and coal users’ homes reached 162.9 μg/m3. Wood using homes had significant differences (P = .0164) in median [PM2.5] whether the stove had complete combustion (98.2 μg/m3) vs. incomplete (112.6 μg/m3), or a salamander stove (140.6 μg/m3). Cigarette smoking was reported in 8.7% of the households, but was not associated with the [PM2.5]. Ventilation was associated with a higher median [PM2.5] (120.6 vs. 99.1 μg/m3, P = .0039). Conclusion. We found homes with high [PM2.5]. Residential wood consumption was almost universal, and it is associated with the [PM2.5]. Natural ventilation increased MP2.5, probably due to infiltration from outside.