Assessment of Carbon Monoxide and Sulphur Dioxide Levels in Indoor Cooking Environments in Rural Taraba State

Indoor air pollution from biomass combustion during cooking is a leading environmental health risk in rural Nigeria, associated with respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and premature mortality. This study assesses concentrations of carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide in indoor cooking environments of households in rural communities in Taraba State, North East Nigeria, where firewood and charcoal remain the predominant cooking fuels. Air quality measurements were taken during cooking activities in 50 households using calibrated electrochemical gas detection instruments placed at breathing-zone height. Cooking sessions were categorised by fuel type and stove design. Personal exposure monitoring was also conducted for adult women and children under five years of age in 30 selected households. Results show that carbon monoxide concentrations during cooking frequently exceeded the WHO guideline of 6 milligrams per cubic metre for one-hour exposure, with peak values above 25 milligrams per cubic metre recorded in poorly ventilated kitchens using three-stone open fires. Sulphur dioxide levels were below WHO short-term guideline values in most households. Child exposure estimates based on time-activity data indicate significant accumulation of carbon monoxide exposure burden during cooking periods. The study recommends scaled promotion of improved biomass cookstoves with chimneys, targeted health education for women, and integration of cookstove programmes into state health and energy policy frameworks. Keywords: carbon monoxide, indoor air quality, biomass cooking, Taraba State, household pollution