Health and Environmental Impact Assessment Using Life Cycle Assessment of Biomass Fuel and Liquefied Petroleum Gas Usage in Khao Lam Production Processes in Chon Buri Province

Authors

  • Siwapa Sirijamorn Plan and Policy Annalist, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innoation.
  • Rutaichanok Poopuang Sanitation Technical Officer, Saensuk Municipality
  • Sunutcha Phopongsin Lecturer, School of Health Science, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University
  • Taddao Pahasup-anan Lecturer, Faculty of Public Health, Burapha University
  • Rotruedee Chotigawin Assistant Professor, Faculty of Public Health, Burapha University

Keywords:

Particulate Matter, Environmental impacts, Health impacts, Life Cycle Assessment

Abstract

     Biomass-based Khao Lam production significantly impacts health and the environment. This study compared biomass fuel versus Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Saensuk, Chon Buri, integrating health risk assessment and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Using mixed-methods, including on-site PM2.5/PM10 measurements and ISO 14040/14044-compliant analysis via OpenLCA, the research evaluated four dimensions: human health, ecosystems, resources, and climate change.

     The results indicated that biomass combustion emitted PM10 concentrations as high as 166.86 ± 11.93 µg/m³, exceeding those from LPG (97.51 ± 10.06 µg/m³) and surpassing ambient air quality standards by 39.05%. The global warming potential associated with biomass fuel was 4.3 times higher than that of LPG (216.415 vs. 49.6 kg CO2 eq). In terms of health impacts, biomass use resulted in a total disability-adjusted life year (DALY) loss of 2.87 × 10-4 DALYs, which was 5.2 times greater than that attributable to LPG. Regarding particle size distribution, biomass combustion primarily produced coarse particles, whereas LPG combustion generated a higher proportion of ultrafine particles smaller than 0.43 µm.

     Overall, LPG offers superior performance in both health and environmental dimensions. Nevertheless, socioeconomic constraints remain a key barrier to fuel transition. The findings support policies that promote a transition toward clean energy while safeguarding traditional food knowledge, to enhance community health and foster the sustainability of grassroots economies in tourism-oriented areas.

References

Ajaj, R., Dweik, R. A., Syed Ali, S. A., & Stietiya, M. H. (2023). Life cycle assessment studies to evaluate the sustainability of various facemasks used during COVID-19: A UAE case study. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 11(5), 110491. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2023.110491

Akimoto, H. (2003). Global air quality and pollution. Science, 302(5651), 1716–1719. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1092666

Bond, T. C., Doherty, S. J., Fahey, D. W., Forster, P. M., Berntsen, T., DeAngelo, B. J., … & Zender, C. S. (2013). Bounding the role of black carbon in the climate system: A scientific assessment. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 118(11), 5380–5552. https://doi.org/10.1002/jgrd.50171

Bora, R. (2023). Life-cycle assessment of humidity sensors printed with forest-based ink and laser graphitization (Master’s thesis, KTH Royal Institute of Technology). Department of Energy Technology. Retrieved from /mnt/data/6b348557-5979-4dcb-a88d-81825fb43759.pdf

Brunner, P. H., & Rechberger, H. (2016). Handbook of Material Flow Analysis: For environmental, resource, and waste engineers (2nd ed.). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315313450

Chitralada School Study. (2025). The impact of PM2.5 on the health of primary school students aged 10–13 in Bangkok. International Journal of Research in Social Sciences. https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.905000411

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (1983). Simple technologies for charcoal making (FAO Forestry Paper No. 41). https://www.fao.org/3/x5328e/x5328e00.htm

Gangavarapu, V. T. (2024). Life cycle assessment of cooking fuels: A case study in Tamil Nadu, India (TRITA-ITM-EX 2024:115) [Master’s thesis, KTH Royal Institute of Technology]. DiVA.

Himanshu, Pal, K., Jain, S., & Tyagi, S. K. (2021). Energy and exergy analysis and emission reduction from forced draft gasifier cookstove models: A comparative study. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10973-021-11137-Y

Huijbregts, M. A. J., Steinmann, Z. J. N., Elshout, P. M. F., Stam, G., Verones, F., Vieira, M. D. M., Hollander, A., Zijp, M., & van Zelm, R. (2016). ReCiPe 2016: A harmonized life cycle impact assessment method at midpoint and endpoint level. Report I: Characterization (RIVM Report 2016-0104). National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).

Jenkins, B. M., Baxter, L. L., Miles, T. R., Jr., & Miles, T. R. (1998). Combustion properties of biomass. Fuel Processing Technology, 54(1–3), 17–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-3820(97)00059-3

Klöpffer, W. (2006). Book review: The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to LCA: An orientation in LCA methodology and application, by Baumann, H., & Tillman, A.-M. International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 11(2), 142. https://doi.org/10.1065/lca2006.02.008

Kodgule, R., & Salvi, S. (2012). Exposure to biomass smoke as a cause for airway disease in women and children. Current opinion in allergy and clinical immunology, 12(1), 82–90. https://doi.org/10.1097/ACI.0b013e32834ecb65

Kongtip, P., Nankongnab, N., Chaikittiporn, C., Laohaudomchok, W., Woskie, S., & Slatin, C. (2015). Informal workers in Thailand: Occupational health and social security disparities. New Solutions: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy, 25(2), 189–211. https://doi.org/10.1177/1048291115586036

Loiseau, E., Aissani, L., Le Féon, S., Laurent, F., Cerceau, J., Sala, S., & Roux, P. (2018). Territorial Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): What exactly is it about? A proposal towards using a common terminology and a research agenda. Journal of Cleaner Production, 176, 474–485. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.12.169

Obernberger, I., Brunner, T., & Bärnthaler, G. (2006). Chemical properties of solid biofuels: Significance and impact—Standardisation of solid biofuels in Europe. Biomass and Bioenergy, 30(11), 973–982. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2006.06.011

Pope III, C. A., & Dockery, D. W. (2006). Health effects of fine particulate air pollution: Lines that connect. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 56(6), 709–742. https://doi.org/10.1080/10473289.2006.10464485

Shackelford, B. B., Steenland, K., Kirby, M. A., Balakrishnan, K., Chiang, M., Diaz-Artiga, A., McCracken, J. P., Thompson, L. M., Rosa, G.,

Waller, L. A., Jabbarzadeh, S., Wang, J., Pillarisetti, A., Johnson, M. A., Peel, J. L., Checkley, W., & Clasen, T. F. (2025). Gestational and postnatal exposures to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and their association with acute ear infections, diarrhea, respiratory symptoms, and mortality: A longitudinal study of infants in the multicountry Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) trial. Environmental Research, 285(1), 122258. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2025.122258

Tejpal, N., Swaranjit, & Sharma, P. (2019). Study of effects of cooking fuels biomass and LPG on pulmonary function tests in rural women of Punjab. International Journal of Current Medical and Applied Sciences, 23(1), 1–5. http://www.ijcmaas.com

Tian, D., Hu, Y., Wang, Y., Boylan, J. W., Zheng, M., & Russell, A. G. (2009). Assessment of biomass burning emissions and their impacts on urban and regional PM 2.5: A Georgia case study. Environmental Science & Technology, 43(2), 299–305. https://doi.org/10.1021/es801827s

Tonne, C., Adair-Rohani, H., Amann, M., Ceston, J., Häsler, B., Kiesewetter, G., Lee, J., Nagendra, S. M. S., Sambandam, S., Thondoo, M., &

Usmani, F. (2023). Health and climate impacts of scaling adoption of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for clean household cooking in Cameroon: A modeling study. Environmental Health Perspectives, 131(4), 047003. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11361

Vassilev, S. V., Baxter, D., Andersen, L. K., & Vassileva, C. G. (2010). An overview of the chemical composition of biomass. Fuel, 89(5), 913–933. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2009.10.022

World Health Organization. (2023). Household air pollution and health. https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/thailand/environmental-health-thailand/household-air-pollution.pdf

Zhu, W., Cai, J., Hu, Y., Zhang, H., Han, X., Zheng, H., & Wu, J. (2021). Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter relates with incident myocardial infarction (MI) risks and post-MI mortality: A meta-analysis. Chemosphere, 267, 128903. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128903

Downloads

Published

2026-01-27

How to Cite

Sirijamorn, S. ., Poopuang, R. ., Phopongsin, S., Pahasup-anan, T. ., & Chotigawin, R. (2026). Health and Environmental Impact Assessment Using Life Cycle Assessment of Biomass Fuel and Liquefied Petroleum Gas Usage in Khao Lam Production Processes in Chon Buri Province. Public Health Policy and Laws Journal, 12(1), 155–172. retrieved from https://so05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/journal_law/article/view/286280

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 1 (2026): January-April

Section

Original Article

License

Disclaimer and Copyright Notice

The content and information presented in articles published in the Journal of Law and Public Health Policy represent the opinions and sole responsibility of the respective authors. The editorial board does not necessarily agree with or assume any responsibility for the views expressed.

All articles, data, content, images, and other materials published in the Journal of Law and Public Health Policy are the intellectual property of the journal. Any individual or organization wishing to reproduce, distribute, or otherwise use the entirety or any part of such materials must provide proper citation.