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Sources and Perceptions of Indoor and Ambient Air Pollution in Rural Alaska

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Abstract

Even though Alaska is the largest state in the United States, much of the population resides in rural and underserved areas with documented disparities in respiratory health. This is especially true in the Yukon-Kuskokwim (southwest) and Ahtna (southcentral) Regions of Alaska. In working with community members, the goal of this study was to identify the air pollution issues (both indoors and outdoors) of concern within these two regions. Over a two-year period, 328 air quality surveys were disseminated within seven communities in rural Alaska. The surveys focused on understanding the demographics, home heating practices, indoor activities, community/outdoor activities, and air quality perceptions within each community. Results from these surveys showed that there is elevated potential for PM10/PM2.5 exposures in rural Alaska communities. Top indoor air quality concerns included mold, lack of ventilation or fresh air, and dust. Top outdoor air pollution concerns identified were open burning/smoke, road dust, and vehicle exhaust (e.g., snow machines, ATVs, etc.). These data can now be used to seek additional funding for interventions, implementing long-term, sustainable solutions to the identified problems. Further research is needed to assess exposures to PM10/PM2.5 and the associated impacts on respiratory health, particularly among susceptible populations such as young children.

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Acknowledgments

Most importantly, we would like to thank the community members that made this project possible. Funding for this work was provided by the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences as part of the ARRA RC1 funding RC1ES018400-02. Additional support was provided by COBRE Grant number P20RR017670.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA

    Desirae Ware, Curtis Noonan & Tony Ward

  2. Community Environmental Health Program, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA

    Johnnye Lewis

  3. Center for Alaska Native Health Research, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 311 Irving I Building, Fairbanks, AK, 99709, USA

    Scarlett Hopkins & Bert Boyer

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  1. Desirae Ware
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Correspondence to Tony Ward.

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Ware, D., Lewis, J., Hopkins, S. et al. Sources and Perceptions of Indoor and Ambient Air Pollution in Rural Alaska. J Community Health 38, 773–780 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-013-9678-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-013-9678-9

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