
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection
2014. Vol.2, No.1, 1-5
Published Online Januray 2014 in SciRes (http://www.scirp.org/journal/gep) http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/gep.2014.21001
OPEN ACCESS
Effectiveness of Improved Cookstoves to Reduce Indoor Air
Pollution in Developing Countries. The Case of the
Cassamance Natural Subregion, Western Africa
Candela de la Sota, Julio Lumbreras, Javier Mazorra*, Adolfo Narros,
Luz Fernández, Rafael Borge
Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Madrid (UPM), Spain
Email: *javimazorra@gmail.com
Received October 2013
The Spanish NGO “Alianza por la Solidaridad” has installed improved cookstoves in 3000 households
during 2012 and 2013 to improve energy efficiency reducing fuelwood consumption and to improve in-
door air quality. The type of cookstoves were Noflaye Jeeg and Noflaye Jaboot and were installed in the
Cassamance Natural Subregion covering part of Senegal, The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. The Technical
University of Madrid (UPM) has conducted a field study on a sample of these households to assess the
effect of improved cookstoves on kitchen air quality. Measurements of carbon monoxide (CO) and fine
particle matter (PM2.5) were taken for 24-hr period before and after the installation of improved cook-
stoves. The 24-hr mean CO concentrations were lower than the World Health Organization (WHO)
guidelines for Guinea-Bissau but higher for Senegal and Gambia, even after the installation of improved
cookstoves. As for PM2.5 concentrations, 24-hr mean were always higher than these guidelines. However,
improved cookstoves produced significant reductions on 24-hr mean CO and PM2.5 concentrations in
Senegal and for mean and maximum PM2.5 concentration on Gambia. Although this variability needs to
be explained by further research to determine which other factors could affect indoor air pollution, the
study provided a better understanding of the problem and envisaged alternatives to be implemented in fu-
ture phases of the NGO project.
Keywords: Indoor Air Pollution; Improved Cookstoves; Biomass Burning; Health Effects; Western Africa
Introduction
According to the International Energy Agency 2.7 billion
people (40% of global population) rely on the traditional use of
biomass for cooking (IEA, 2010). The traditional use of bio-
mass refers to the basic technology used, such as three-stone
fire or inefficient cookstove, and not the resource itself.
As a result of the incomplete combustion due to inefficient
conditions, many pollutants are emitted, both gaseous and solid
or liquid. The major compounds are: carbon monoxide (CO),
particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and other or-
ganic compounds.
The exposure to these pollutants during long periods of time
has a wide range of health effects causing around 1.5 million
premature deaths per year worldwide, being the second leading
cause of death in developing countries today and the first by
2030 (IEA, 2010).
Up to date, numerous studies have pointed out the relation-
ship between the exposure to indoor air pollution (IAP) and
several health problems (WHO, 2006). There is scientific evi-
dence that risk of pneumonia and acute infection of the lower
respiratory tract among children under five years old and risk of
suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in adult
women are bigger in households where wood or coal is used for
cooking activities than in those where electricity, gas or other
cleaner fuels are used (WHO, 2006). Other problems such as
eye diseases and burns are likewise extended.
In these households, pollutant levels can be between 10 and
50 times higher than the standard set by the World Health Or-
ganization (WHO) for CO and PM (shown in Table 1).
Case Study
The Casamance Natural Subregion in Western Africa is lo-
cated between three countries: Senegal, The Gambia and Gui-
nea-Bissau, forming an interdependent system with common
geographical and ethnic characteristics. The subregion also
shares a high level of poverty, analphabetism and malnutrition,
which specially affect women.
This situation contrasts with the great potential of natural and
productive resources. However, the unequal distribution of
these resources produces several difficulties for the subregion
inhabitants. Even more, the pressure over natural resources is
increasing due to climate change and food-related products
competence (for biofuel production, timber and other crops).
Within this context, the Spanish NGO “Alianza por la Soli-
daridad” is carrying out a 4-year project with the aim of contri-
buting to poverty aleviation and improvement of living stan-
dards in the Casamance Natural Subregion and promoting food
sovereignty and environmental governance.
Among several areas of work, there is one focused on the
improvement of energy efficiency at both the family and the
community sphere through the change from three-stone stoves
*Corresponding author.