To analyse the incentives, knowledge and multi-level legal and institutional frameworks that lead to transitions towards sustainable behaviours in advance of large-scale forced change, and to analyse the political, economic, regulatory and cultural obstacles faced by transition efforts.
Contact Information
Our Focus
All work to date has been undertaken in Pakistan. Measurements of particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and bioaerosols have been made. PM10 concentrations up to 8,555 μg/m3 were observed inside kitchens where biofuels were burnt. Cleaning and smoking was also identified as a major source of indoor particulate pollution, and concentrations more than 2,000 μg/m3 were recorded in the living room during these activities. A seasonal variation in NO2 was observed. Higher levels were found during the winter than the summer (from approximately 250 μg/m3 to 65 μg/m3). When biomass fuel was used this change resulted from the kitchens being moved outdoors in summer. For kitchens using natural gas, ventilation was the most probable reason of the observed fall.
Our Experience And Interest In The Four PCIA Central Focus Areas
In order to design such a robust community based intervention the documentation of traditional knowledge to combat indoor air pollution is a prerequisite. The proposed study will be a pilot study to collect the ethno-environmental information to combat indoor air pollution from two rural communities, using different types of biomass fuels.
N/A
Have undertaken ventillation measurements in the UK
Investigations into the relationship between indoor/outdoor air quality and levels of indoor air pollution in rural and urban environments in Pakistan. Measurements included: PM10, PM2.5, PM1 in different indoor and outdoor micro-environments in Pakistan; assessment of pollution levels during various indoor and outdoor activities. Measurements of nitrogen dioxide Bioaerosol measurements
Relevant Publications or Studies
I. Colbeck and M. Lazaridis, Human Exposure to Pollutants via Dermal Absorption and Inhalation, Springer, Dordrecht, 2010. I. Colbeck, Z.A. Nasir and Z. Ali, ‘The state of air quality in Pakistan – a review’, Environmental Science & Pollution Research. 17 (2010) pp.49-63. I. Colbeck, Z.A. Nasir and Z. Ali, ‘Characteristics of indoor/outdoor particulate pollution in urban and rural residential environments in Pakistan’, Indoor Air. 20(2010) pp.40-51. I. Colbeck, Z.A. Nasir and Z. Ali, ‘The state of indoor air quality in Pakistan – a review’ Environmental Science & Pollution Research. 17 (2010) pp.1187–1196. I. Colbeck, Z.A. Nasir, Z. Ali and S. Ahmed, 'Nitrogen dioxide and household fuel use in the Pakistan' Science of the Total Environment. 409 (2010) pp.357-363.
Our Contribution to the Partnership
Willing to provide expertise in air pollution monitoring and on barriers to the uptake of improved stoves
