Household and ambient air pollution exposure in low-income settings

Background

Air pollution — from solid-fuel cooking indoors and from traffic, industry and crop burning outdoors — is a leading environmental risk to health according to the WHO. Low-cost monitoring and effective, affordable exposure reduction remain unsolved at scale.

Who is affected

Households using solid fuels, urban residents, outdoor workers, children

Existing approaches

Improved cookstoves and LPG programmes, air purifiers (costly, electricity), masks, regulatory controls, satellite and reference-grade monitoring.

Their limitations

Adoption and sustained use of clean cooking; purifier cost and power; low-cost sensors drift and need calibration; limited personal-exposure data.

Desired outcome

Validated low-cost exposure monitoring and interventions that reduce measured personal exposure for the lowest-income users.

Success criteria

Sensor accuracy within accepted bounds against reference instruments; exposure reduction demonstrated in homes; cost and maintenance acceptable.

Evidence and references

• WHO — Air pollution health topic — Health burden and sources

Participation

Eligibility

Open to all members

Timeline

Open-ended

Support or rewards

Recognition and contribution points; other rewards as stated per challenge

Confidentiality

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