Household Air Pollution in a Changing Tibet: A Mixed Methods Ethnography and Indoor Air Quality Measurements

Household air pollution (HAP) is considered to be one of the largest environmental health risks in the world, being responsible each year for similar to 4.3 million deaths globally and 420,000 in China. Tibetan regions of China are known for pristine ambient air but several recent studies have concluded that the indoor air quality in Tibetan homes is compromised. Tibet is changing rapidly and this study sought to holistically understand HAP in relation to these changes. We took 28 measurements of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon (BC) concentrations in a variety of Tibetan dwellings in the Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. A semi-structured interview and ethnographic participant-observation were also administered with residents to better understand household behaviors and awareness of HAP. The highest concentrations of PM2.5 and BC were found in the traditional yak hair tent, but nomads living in plastic tarp tents with improved stoves and stovepipes also had very compromised indoor air quality. All of the nomads in this study said they would prefer to use a fuel other than yak dung. More nomads expressed concern about their local glacier melting due to climate change than HAP, and indoor trash burning was seen at all sites. This study suggests that raising awareness of health and climate impacts due to HAP, in addition to having a better dialogue among the stakeholders and the residents in Tibet, is essential for obtaining better indoor air quality in the region.