San Diego State University

Mission
Professor Chowdhury focuses his research work in monitoring and developing methods for characterizing both indoor and outdoor air pollution, particularly carbon monoxide and particulate matter. His particulate matter characterization work consists of size distribution, chemical composition, and source emissions measurements. His interests lie in understanding both urban and rural air pollution problems and their health effects in developing countries by conducting source apportionment and epidemiologic studies. He is one of the researchers in the RESPIRE and CRECER projects conducted in the highlands of Guatemala. Besides Guatemala, he has projects in China, India, and Bangladesh.
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:
We are currently working in Guatemala, China, India, and Bangladesh. Except for India, we target rural areas. Most of our initiatives are at the community level. Our main focus is to conduct research and develop methods for monitoring successful intervention programs.
Fuels/Technologies:	Biogas Biomass Coal Solar	Sectors of Experience:	Education Energy Environment Health Monitoring and Evaluation, Methods and Instrument Development	Countries of Operation:	Guatemala Bangladesh China India

Our Experience And Interest In The Four PCIA Central Focus Areas

Social/Cultural barriers to using traditional fuels and stoves:

We conduct focus group discussions (in our Guatemala study) with women on a regular basis to understand their needs. We also conduct dissemination meetings with locals when results of our monitoring and health studies become available.

Market development for improved cooking technologies:

Our research group is interested in market development from a research angle.

Technology standardization for cooking, heating and ventilation:

We conduct WBT and KPT to understand the characteristics of each stoves. We have questionnaires and instruments in assisting with standardization across our different sites.

Indoor air pollution exposure and health monitoring:

Conducted extensive monitoring of PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10, and CO as well as other pollutants of interests in several countries: Guatemala, China, India, and Bangladesh.

Relevant Publications or Studies

Articles in Refereed Journals

Chowdhury, Zohir; Zheng, Mei; Schauer, James J.; Sheesley, Rebecca J.; Salmon, Lynn G.; Cass, Glen R.; Russell, Armistead G.(2007) “Speciation of ambient fine organic carbon particles and source apportionment of PM2.5 in Indian cities,”Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres, 112, D15303, doi:10.1029/2007JD008386.

Chowdhury, Zohir; Edwards, Rufus; Johnson, Michael; Shields, Kyra N.; Allen, Tracy; Canuz, Eduardo; and Smith, Kirk R. (2007). “An inexpensive light-scattering particle monitor: chamber and field validations with woodsmoke”, Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 9, 1099-1106, doi: 39/b709329m.

Sheesley, Rebecca J.; Schauer, James J.; Chowdhury, Zohir; and Cass, Glen R.(2003) “Characterization of Organic Aerosols Emitted from the Combustion of Biomass Indigenous to the Indian Subcontinent,” Journal of Geophysical Research, 108, No. D9, AAC 8-1 to AAC 8-15.

Eldering, Annmarie; Ogren, J. A., Chowdhury, Zohir; Hughes, Lara S.; Cass, Glen R.. (2002) “Aerosol optical properties during INDOEX based on measured aerosol particle size and composition”, Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres, 107.

Chowdhury, Zohir; Hughes, Lara S.; Salmon, Lynn G.; and Cass, Glen R. (2001) ``Atmospheric Particle Size and Composition Measurements to Support Light Extinction Calculations over the Indian Ocean,'' Journal of Geophysical Research, 106 28,597-28,605.

Cantrell, Will; Shaw, Glenn; Cass, Glen R.; Chowdhury, Zohir; Hughes, Lara S.; Prather, Kimberly A.; Guazotti, Sergio A.; and Coffee, Keith R. (2001) ``Closure Between Aerosol Particles and Cloud Condensation Nuclei at Kaashidhoo Climate Observatory,'' Journal of Geophysical Research, 106 28,711-28,718.

Articles in Refereed Proceedings

Chowdhury, Zohir; Anousheh, Ramtin; Broadwin, Rachael; Malig, Brian; Ostro, Bart (2008). “Time series study of PM2.5 source apportionment for use in health assessment in several California counties from 2001-2005.” Peer-reviewed A&WMA Conference Proceeding Paper Paper Number: 580, June 23-27, Portland, Oregon.

Chowdhury, Zohir; Zheng, Mei; Russell, Armisted G.; Cass, Glen R.; Salmon, Lynn G.; Sheesley, Rebecca J.; Schauer, James J. (2004) “Source apportionment and chemical characterization of the ambient fine particle aerosol in Delhi.” Peer-reviewed A&WMA Conference Proceeding Paper, April 19-22, Cary, North Carolina.

Unpublished, Refereed Papers Before Professional Conferences

“Field validation of the UCB particle monitor”, ETHOS Conference, Kirkland, WA, January 27-29, 2006.

“Kitchen PM2.5 concentrations measured with an inexpensive monitor in Highland Guatemala”, International Society of Exposure Assessment, Conference, Tucson, AZ, October 31-November 5, 2005.

“Concentrations of wintertime atmospheric PM2.5 and CO in San Lorenzo, Guatemala”, ISEA Conference, Tucson, AZ, October 31-November 5, 2005. (Poster Presentation)

“Source Apportionment and Characterization of Ambient Fine Particles in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chandigarh”. Better Air Quality 2004 (BAQ2004), Agra, India. December 6-8, 2004. (Poster Presentation)

“Chemical Characterization of the Ambient Fine Particle Aerosol in Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata.” American Association of Aerosol Research, AAAR-PM Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. March 30-April 4, 2003. (Poster Presentation)

“Size distribution and chemical composition of fine particles in Kaashidhoo during INDOEX”, Tropical Environmental Problems Workshop in the Light of The INDOEX Program”, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India, October 9-13, 2000.

“Atmospheric Particle Size and Composition Measurements to Support Light Extinction Calculations over the Indian Ocean”, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, CA, USA, December 1999. (Poster Presentation)

Technical Reports to Agencies

• Chowdhury, Zohir. “Source Apportionment of Ambient Fine Particulate Matter in Seven California Counties from 2001 to 2004” Final Report. May 2006. Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), California Environmental Protection Agency.

• Chowdhury, Zohir; Zheng, Mei; Russell, Armistead G. “Source Apportionment and Characterization of Ambient Fine Particles in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chandigarh” Final Report. January 2004. The World Bank.

Our Contribution to the Partnership

Provide demonstrations and hands-on training for monitoring indoor air pollution using low-cost and reliable instruments that are commercially available. Provide assistance in data analysis and interpretation of monitored data.