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The present work assesses the real-world performance of novel improved mud-based cookstoves (MBC) - Pavak 1 (P1) and Pavak 2 (P2) in a remote community in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, India. These MBC's were designed using multi-parameter optimization based on extensive laboratory testing. These MBCs are affordable and durable, and can be locally manufactured without compromising cooking quality, taste, or convenience while still meeting the Indian cookstove performance standards (BIS IS 13152 (Part 1): 2013) for emissions and efficiency. MBC's performance was compared to traditional stoves (TS) in accordance with the ISO 19869:2019 cookstove field testing protocol. 45 cooking sessions were captured (22 P1; 13 P2; 10 TS). Fuel-based emission factors (EF) for PM 2.5 and CO were estimated using the carbon balance method. Results indicate reductions in PM 2.5 (56% for P1 and 46% for P2) and CO emissions (15% for P1 and 0.85% for P2) compared to TS. Analysis of real-time modified combustion efficiencies showed that MBCs exhibited prolonged periods in pure flaming conditions compared to TS. A user perception survey was conducted in the intervention households to understand community acceptability. Our results demonstrate the potential for increased adoption rates, emphasizing the importance of information, education, and communication (IEC) programs to maximize health and climate benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted an emission measurement campaign as a part of a multiyear cookstove intervention trial in two rural locations in northern and southern India. 253 uncontrolled cooking tests measured emissions in control and intervention households during three ~3-month-long measurement periods in each location. We measured pollutants including fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), organic and elemental carbon (OC, EC), black carbon (BC) and carbon monoxide (CO) from stoves ranging from traditional solid fuel (TSF) to improved biomass stoves (rocket, gasifier) to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) models. TSF stoves showed substantial variability in pollutant emission factors (EFs; g kg−1 wood) and optical properties across measurement periods. Multilinear regression modeling found that measurement period, fuel properties, relative humidity, and cooking duration are significant predictors of TSF EFs. A rocket stove showed moderate reductions relative to TSF. LPG stoves had the lowest pollutant EFs, with mean PM 2.5 and CO EFs (g MJ delivered −1) >90% lower than biomass stoves. However, in-home EFs of LPG were substantially higher than lab EFs, likely influenced by non-ideal combustion performance, emissions from food and possible influence from other combustion sources. In-home emission measurements may depict the actual exposure benefits associated with dissemination of LPG stoves in real world interventions. Unlabelled Image • Measurements of real-world wood and LPG stove emissions of particulate and gaseous pollutants • Quantification of emission factors and optical properties of emitted particles • Fuelwood moisture and ambient relative humidity influence traditional stove emissions. • In-home LPG emissions were substantially higher than those in lab. • Food emissions can have large impact on observed LPG emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in unprecedented disease burden, healthcare costs, and economic impacts worldwide. Despite several measures, SARS-CoV-2 has been extremely impactful due to its extraordinary infection potential mainly through coronavirus-borne saliva respiratory and droplet nuclei of an infected person and its considerable stability on surfaces. Although the disease has affected over 180 countries, its extent and control are significantly different across the globe, making it a strong case for exploration of its behavior and dependence across various environmental pathways and its interactions with the virus. This has spurred efforts to characterize the coronavirus and understand the factors impacting its transmission and survival such as aerosols, air quality, meteorology, chemical compositions and characteristics of particles and surfaces, which are directly or indirectly associated with coronaviruses infection spread. Nonetheless, many peer-reviewed articles have studied these aspects but mostly in isolation; a complete array of coronavirus survival and transmission from an infected individual through air- and water-borne channels and its subsequent intractions with environmental factors, surfaces, particulates and chemicals is not comprehensively explored. Particulate matter (PM) is omnipresent with variable concentrations, structures and composition, while most of the surfaces are also covered by PM of different characteristics. Learning from the earlier coronavirus studies, including SARS and MERS, an attempt has been made to understand the survival of SARS-CoV-2 outside of the host body and discuss the probable air and water-borne transmission routes and its interactions with the outside environment. The present work 1) Helps appreciate the role of PM, its chemical constituents and surface characteristics and 2) Further identifies gaps in this field and suggests possible domains to work upon for better understanding of transmission and survival of this novel coronavirus. Unlabelled Image • Research insights on interaction of SARS-COV-2 with aerosols and surfaces • Probable air, water and faecal borne transmission routes of COVID-19 are discussed • Particulate matter commonly present on surfaces, and surface characteristics can impact virus survival and transmisson • Exploration of effect of confounding environmental factors is needed to better characterize viruses [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]