Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Laboratorio de Respiración, Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura

Mission

Our organization performs research on indoor air pollution in diverse Peruvian communities and produces public awareness on this enormous health problem. In addition, our organization is implementing a program to change the kitchen model in these communities in order to decrease indoor air pollution. We are the health partners of the peruvian NGO Trabajo y Familia in the national programm Sembrando. One of our goals is to change the traditional biomass stoves in the houses of 1 million poor families who live over 2,500 m above sea level.

Organization Type Academia

Contact Information

This information has been removed as it is likely no longer accurate

Primary Initiatives, Target Populations, and Scope of Work:

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru, do not smoke and we observed that all of them used biomass fuel combustion. Then we began working in rural areas and have done so extensively. We have worked in Peruvian highlands such as Junín, Lambayeque, Puno and Ayacucho (rural areas). Also we have conducted research in urban areas and in rural areas at sea level. We have learned it is a completely different scenario. It would be great if we could exchange our experiences with other research groups.

Fuels/Technologies: Biomass
Sectors of Experience: Education
Health

Our Experience And Interest In The Four PCIA Central Focus Areas

Social/Cultural barriers to using traditional fuels and stoves:

We have learned that there are enormous social barriers to using traditional fuels. Most of the populations we have studied are extremely poor and have difficulty even getting some of the wood or dung for cooking and heating their houses. Most of them are ashamed of this condition and even show aggressiveness when asked about it. This tendency is even greater among those who have migrated from rural to urban areas.


Market development for improved cooking technologies:

We are directly involved in the installation of new Inkawasi stove models in 300 housheolds of Ayacucho department, Peru. A small group of artesans are working to produce the combustion chamber in this area of south Peruvian highlands.


Technology standardization for cooking, heating and ventilation:

We demonstrated the positive effects of the change of traditional wood stoves with the Inkawasi model for the respiratory health in Peru.


Indoor air pollution exposure and health monitoring:

We worked with GTZ, PAHO and Universidad Nacional de Ingenieria, Lima, making determinations of indoor air pollution at Lambayeque and Puno highlands. We hope to work with other partners in the evaluation of indoor air pollution at different rural peruvian communities.

Relevant Publications or Studies

E.S. Espinoza, C.H. Yshii, MD, C.A. Taype, MD, MSC, Y.A. Bravo, MD, S.E. Chiarella, R.A. Accinelli, "Respiratory Diseases among Peruvian Physicians with Antecedent for Biomass Fuels Exposure", [abstract] Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society 2006; 3: A389;

C.H. Yshii, MD, S.E. Chiarella, E.R. Cordova, MD, M.P. Sanchez Sierra, MD, J.M. Carbajal, MD, C.E. Pantoja, MD, R.A. Accinelli, MD, MPH, P. Herrer,"Inflammatory Response Related to Different Types o Biomass Fuels"'[abstract] Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society 2006; 3: A387;

J.M. Carbajal, MD, M.P. Sanchez Sierra, MD, C.H. Yshii, MD, S.E. Chiarella, E.R. Cordova, MD, C.E. Pantoja, MD, Y.A. Bravo, MD, R.A. Accinelli, MD, P. Herrera,"Indoor Pollution by Biomass Fuels and Higher Frequency of GER Symptoms",[abstract] Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society 06; 3: A387;

S.E. Chiarella, C.H. Yshii, MD, M.P. Sanchez Sierra, MD, J.M. Carbajal, MD, C.E. Pantoja, MD, E.R. Cordova, MD, R.A. Accinelli, MD, MPH, P. Herrea,"Exposure to Biomass Fuels among Peruvian Highlanders and Its Correlation to Inflammatory Cytokines", [abstract] Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society 2006; 3: A387;

M.P. Sanchez Sierra, MD, J.M. Carbajal, MD, S.E. Chiarella, E.R. Cordova, MD, C.E. Pantoja, MD, C.H. Yshii, MD, R.A. Accinelli,"Serum Concentration of IFN and Its Correlation to Respiratory Symptoms and Indoor Pollution among Patients Exposed to the Combustion of Biomass Fuels", [abstract] Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society 2006; 3: A387;

J. Leey, MD, A.F. Rojas, R.A. Accinelli, MD,MPH, Louisville, KY,"Prevalence of Asthma Symptoms and Exposure to Biomass Fuel Combustion among Young Population from High Altitude Cities",[abstract] Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society 2006; 3: A654;

M.P. Sanchez Sierra, MD, A.F. Rojas, C.H. Yshii, MD, R.A. Accinelli, "Is Chewing Coca Leaves a Worsening Risk Factor of Respiratory Symptoms in People Exposed to Biomass Fuels", [abstract] Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society 2006; 3: A749;

CH. Yshii, R.A. Accinelli, E. R Cordova, M.P Snchez-Sierra, C. Pantoja, J.M. Carvajal, "Effets of Biomass fuels on respiratory system depends on the type of stoves used", American Thoracic Society Abstracts 2005. A264;

Accinelli R. A; Fajardo CS, Clinical, "Spyrometric and Radiologic Finding among Women Exposed for more than 30 Years to Biomass Fuel Combustion", American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 2002; 165 (8):A588;

Accinelli R. and Herrera N., "Bronchial Obstruction, Hyper-Responsiveness and Oxygen Desaturacin Related to Biomass Fuel Combustion", American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 1999; 159: (3) A811; and;

Accinelli R, J. Leey, L. Vega, F. Ruiz and M. Amaro, "Biomass Fuel Combustion during Childhood: the Important Factor related with Chronic Bronchitis in Tarma (altitude- 3050m) and Barranca (sea level)", Per. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 1999; 159: (3) A812.

Our Contribution to the Partnership

Our organization has not yet participated in the PCIA, but we are very excited by the possibility of doing so. It would be of tremendous benefit for our organization. We have repeatedly participated in the American Thoracic Society (ATS) meetings, presenting the results of our research on biomass fuels and their impact on the health of Peruvians. The mission our organization (Respiration Laboratory - High Altitude Research Institute) is mainly to improve the quality of life of over 40% of Peruvians who currently use biomass fuels in the indoors. We have performed extensive research in various regions of Peru that show a great health impact of biomass fuels and have started changing the kitchen model in order to decrease indoor pollution. Our organization will obtain tremendous benefit by participating in the Partnership Forum not only by sharing our scientific knowledge but also by exchanging field experiences on how to work with our communities and arouse public awareness on this crucial health problem. We could compare our improved kitchen model with others developed. In summary, we could contribute tremendously with the international health community to tackle this important health problem.