Household smoke monitoring
Practical Action
However, this is a unique study, and for most organisations, a decision must be made on what
can be achieved realistically. Health studies are complex and expensive. More realistically,
measurements of smoke reduction can be made, and their effects on health estimated.
A key to successful monitoring is to decide;
Who needs the information?
For what purpose do they need it?
Is this information needed locally, nationally, internationally?
A book entitled ‘Evaluating household energy and health interventions: a catalogue of methods’ by
the WHO is currently in press to provide guidance on the various approaches to evaluating such
interventions (WHO_2, 2007).
This Technical Brief will describe an approach taken by Practical Action to examine the levels of
indoor air pollution, and to ensure that the technologies being adopted by households
collaborating in their smoke-alleviation research were effective in reducing smoke. The research is
based in Kenya, Nepal and Sudan, where various technologies, from smoke hoods to gas stoves
are now being used to alleviate kitchen smoke.
The monitoring process
Community participation (Figure 2) is essential from the start. Representative households should
be identified by the community themselves, although various criteria can be required - eg children
under five; enthusiastic to work with the project. Community meetings and discussion will
promote participation and ensure that findings are relevant to the project communities.
Figure 2: Nepal community meeting (photo: Nigel Bruce/Practical Action)
Monitoring is divided into two distinct areas:
Monitoring indoor air pollution before and after the introduction of a technology
Monitoring acceptance and benefits. This is important, as the technology will do nothing
unless people use it.
Questionnaires can be used to identify aspects of people's lives which impact on their use of
household energy. The resource section at the end of this Technical Brief gives information on
where these questionnaires can be found.
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