Comparative study of outdoor and indoor air pollution in Ulaanbaatar and Darkhan cities
- VernacularTitle:Улаанбаатар болон Дархан хотын гадаад, дотоод орчны агаарын бохирдлын харьцуулсан судалгаа
- Author:
Davaalkham D
1
;
2
;
Ulziikhutag B
1
;
Batzorig B
1
;
2
;
Ser-Od Kh
1
;
2
;
Nyamsuren B
1
;
2
;
Yerkebulan M
1
;
2
;
Enkhjargal G
1
;
2
;
Shatar Sh
1
;
2
;
Myagmarchuluun S
1
;
2
;
Gantuya D
1
;
2
;
Ulziimaa D
1
;
3
;
Buyantushig B
1
;
2
;
Jargalsaikhan G
1
;
2
;
Anujin M
1
;
Maralmaa E
1
;
Khurelbaatar N
1
;
3
;
Damdindorj B
1
;
3
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: Air pollution; PM₂.₅; indoor; ambient; real-time monitoring; housing type
- From: Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2026;93(3):107-113
- CountryMongolia
- Language:Mongolian
-
Abstract:
Background:Ambient and household air pollution remain leading risk factors for global morbidity and mortality. Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as lung cancer, metabolic and neurological disorders, and immune dysfunction. In urban areas of Mongolia, air pollution reaches critical levels during the winter season. Although improved solid fuels have been introduced in recent years, their impact on both outdoor and indoor air quality remains insufficiently characterized.
Aim:To compare outdoor and household air pollution levels in Ulaanbaatar and Darkhan cities.
Materials and Methods:Outdoor air pollution data for Ulaanbaatar were obtained from fixed monitoring stations of the National Agency for Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring for the period 2014–2026, with seasonal comparisons performed. For indoor air quality assessment, a longitudinal study was conducted among 240 households (apartments, houses, and traditional gers) in Ulaanbaatar and Darkhan from 2023 to 2026. PM₂.₅ concentrations were measured using real-time sensors (PurpleAir sensor), deployed for 14–21 days per season (winter and summer) in each household, recording data at 10-minute intervals over 24-hour periods.
Result:Between 2014 and 2026, the 24-hour mean concentrations in Ulaanbaatar were 60.5 µg/m for PM₂.₅, 117.3 µg/m for PM₁₀, 37.3 µg/m for NO₂, 41.8 µg/m for SO₂, and 27.5 µg/m for O₃. While particulate matter levels showed a decreasing trend following the introduction of improved fuels, SO₂ concentrations increased, and overall pollution levels remained higher than those observed in Darkhan. Indoor PM₂.₅ concentrations were higher in Ulaanbaatar compared to Darkhan (60.7±86.1 vs 48.4±96.7 µg/m). Significant differences were observed by housing type (p<0.0001), with higher concentrations in households using solid fuels (houses and gers) and lower levels in apartments. These findings indicate substantial variability in indoor air pollution by city, housing type, and season, with persistently elevated exposure levels.
Conclusion:Outdoor air pollutant concentrations in Ulaanbaatar, including particulate matter, NO₂, and SO₂, exceed national standards and WHO guideline values by 1–4 times. Indoor PM₂.₅ pollution is higher in Ulaanbaatar than in Darkhan and varies significantly by housing type and season, indicating a high and heterogeneous exposure burden among urban populations. - Full text:202609270140512684214_107-113_Улаанбаатар болон Дархан хотын гадаад дотоод орчны агаарын бохирдлын харьцуулсан судалгаа.pdf
