Recent studies have shown that there is growing and evolving epidemiological evidence on the health effects of ambient air pollution\cite{usepa2009}. The World Health Organization stated that outdoor (ambient) air pollution is a major environmental health problem that is responsible for some  72% premature deaths worldwide. In 2012, it was estimated that 3 million premature deaths from cardiovascular, respiratory disease and cancers throughout the world were caused by ambient air pollution and in particular exposure to particulate matter of 10 microns (PM10) or less  \cite{who2016}. From these premature deaths 87% were from low- and middle-income countries with the greatest burden being in those countries in the WHO Western Pacific and South-East Asia regions. 

 Most of the countries in the Western Pacific Region are developing nations that are experiencing the intense process of urbanization and industrial development, hence, the burden of air pollution-related health effects is the largest\cite{Mannucci_2017}. WHO estimates that about 3 billion people in developing nations rely on firewood and charcoal for cooking and other domestic uses, hence,  they are continuously exposed to smoke-induced illnesses especially amongst children and the elderly.