Prevalence of indoor air pollutants from First Nation homes in North Central British Columbia, Canada
Poor indoor air quality poses significant health risks. This study addresses the gap in knowledge regarding the prevalence of indoor air pollutants in remote and rural First Nation communities in north-central British Columbia, Canada. Dust samples from 75 homes were collected and analysed for house...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2024-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Circumpolar Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/22423982.2024.2389612 |
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| author | Ivan Kamurasi Karen Bartlett Travis Holyk Benna Rathburn Débora Petry Moecke Ashley Winter Pat G. Camp |
| author_facet | Ivan Kamurasi Karen Bartlett Travis Holyk Benna Rathburn Débora Petry Moecke Ashley Winter Pat G. Camp |
| author_sort | Ivan Kamurasi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Poor indoor air quality poses significant health risks. This study addresses the gap in knowledge regarding the prevalence of indoor air pollutants in remote and rural First Nation communities in north-central British Columbia, Canada. Dust samples from 75 homes were collected and analysed for house dust mites, pet allergens, mould antigens, and bacterial endotoxins. Indoor air quality parameters, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, particulate matter, temperature, and humidity, were measured. A detailed questionnaire on household characteristics and potential pollutant sources was administered. Homes exhibited exposure to multiple pollutants, with wood stove smoke identified as a primary source. Felis domesticus (cat allergen) and Canis familiaris (dog allergen) were prevalent, with detectable levels in 64% and 60% of homes, respectively. Bacterial endotoxins were present in all households. One-third of homes exceeded recommended thresholds for 3 or more pollutants. This study provides critical insights into the prevalence and magnitude of indoor air pollutants, contributing to a broader initiative to characterise respiratory health in First Nations communities. While many homes in First Nations communities had acceptable air quality, one-third of homes exceeded thresholds for 3 or more pollutants. The results can guide ongoing community efforts to address housing concerns and advocate for increased federal funding. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d0487ecfcfef4243bcad3e37f87c6e95 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2242-3982 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Circumpolar Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-d0487ecfcfef4243bcad3e37f87c6e952024-11-29T19:53:25ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Circumpolar Health2242-39822024-12-0183110.1080/22423982.2024.2389612Prevalence of indoor air pollutants from First Nation homes in North Central British Columbia, CanadaIvan Kamurasi0Karen Bartlett1Travis Holyk2Benna Rathburn3Débora Petry Moecke4Ashley Winter5Pat G. Camp6Experimental Medicine Graduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, CanadaSchool of Population & Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, CanadaHealth Services, Carrier Sekani Family Services, Prince George, CanadaHealth Services, Carrier Sekani Family Services, Prince George, CanadaRehabilitation Sciences Graduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, CanadaCentre for Heart Lung Innovation, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, CanadaCentre for Heart Lung Innovation, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, CanadaPoor indoor air quality poses significant health risks. This study addresses the gap in knowledge regarding the prevalence of indoor air pollutants in remote and rural First Nation communities in north-central British Columbia, Canada. Dust samples from 75 homes were collected and analysed for house dust mites, pet allergens, mould antigens, and bacterial endotoxins. Indoor air quality parameters, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, particulate matter, temperature, and humidity, were measured. A detailed questionnaire on household characteristics and potential pollutant sources was administered. Homes exhibited exposure to multiple pollutants, with wood stove smoke identified as a primary source. Felis domesticus (cat allergen) and Canis familiaris (dog allergen) were prevalent, with detectable levels in 64% and 60% of homes, respectively. Bacterial endotoxins were present in all households. One-third of homes exceeded recommended thresholds for 3 or more pollutants. This study provides critical insights into the prevalence and magnitude of indoor air pollutants, contributing to a broader initiative to characterise respiratory health in First Nations communities. While many homes in First Nations communities had acceptable air quality, one-third of homes exceeded thresholds for 3 or more pollutants. The results can guide ongoing community efforts to address housing concerns and advocate for increased federal funding.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/22423982.2024.2389612Indoor air qualityFirst Nations communitiesindoor air pollutantsrespiratory healthallergensendotoxins |
| spellingShingle | Ivan Kamurasi Karen Bartlett Travis Holyk Benna Rathburn Débora Petry Moecke Ashley Winter Pat G. Camp Prevalence of indoor air pollutants from First Nation homes in North Central British Columbia, Canada International Journal of Circumpolar Health Indoor air quality First Nations communities indoor air pollutants respiratory health allergens endotoxins |
| title | Prevalence of indoor air pollutants from First Nation homes in North Central British Columbia, Canada |
| title_full | Prevalence of indoor air pollutants from First Nation homes in North Central British Columbia, Canada |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence of indoor air pollutants from First Nation homes in North Central British Columbia, Canada |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence of indoor air pollutants from First Nation homes in North Central British Columbia, Canada |
| title_short | Prevalence of indoor air pollutants from First Nation homes in North Central British Columbia, Canada |
| title_sort | prevalence of indoor air pollutants from first nation homes in north central british columbia canada |
| topic | Indoor air quality First Nations communities indoor air pollutants respiratory health allergens endotoxins |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/22423982.2024.2389612 |
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