Meghan Hodges
Household air pollution is a serious issue, causing an estimated 3.2 million deaths per year worldwide, including over 237,000 children under the age of five. While outdoor air pollution has been regulated for decades, emissions from daily domestic activities, such as cooking, heating, and the use of certain household products, can contribute to harmful levels of indoor air pollution. This is especially true in homes with poor ventilation, where pollutants can accumulate and cause various health issues, including respiratory problems and, in some cases, even cancer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Causes of Household Air Pollution | Open fires, inefficient stoves, solid fuels, kerosene, biomass, coal, tobacco smoking, construction materials, incense, mosquito repellents, pesticides, cleaning chemicals, artificial fragrances, kitchen odours, combustion products, moisture, radon, volatile organic compounds, and vehicle emissions. |
| Global Impact | Household air pollution is the third leading cause of disability-adjusted life years globally, causing an estimated 3.2 million deaths per year. It is particularly harmful to women and children and is responsible for non-communicable diseases, including stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. |
| Solutions | The WHO has issued guidelines for indoor air quality, recommending clean fuels and technologies such as solar, electricity, biogas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas, alcohol fuels, and biomass stoves that meet emission targets. Improving ventilation, using air conditioners, and following installation guidelines for carpets and rugs can also help reduce indoor air pollution. |
Cooking with polluting fuels
The use of polluting fuels for cooking has decreased globally, with a drop from over half of the global population in 1990 to 26% in 2022. However, this decline is unevenly distributed, with rural populations still heavily relying on biomass fuels. It is projected that one-third of the global population will continue to use polluting fuels by 2030, with the majority in Sub-Saharan Africa. The COVID-19 pandemic has also negatively impacted progress, as income losses made it challenging for many to afford modern fuels, leading to a reversion to traditional solid biomass fuels.
The health risks associated with HAP from cooking are significant. Exposure to indoor smoke and pollutants can lead to heart diseases, stroke, cancers, chronic lung diseases, and pneumonia. In children under five, 45% of pneumonia deaths are attributed to inhaling soot, and women exposed to high levels of indoor smoke are more susceptible to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The simple act of cooking becomes a major health and safety risk for billions of people, especially in low-income and middle-income countries.
To address this issue, the WHO has issued guidelines for indoor air quality, providing evidence-based recommendations on clean fuels and technologies. These guidelines discourage the use of kerosene and unprocessed coal while emphasizing the importance of addressing all household energy uses, particularly cooking, space heating, and lighting. Clean fuels and technologies include solar, electricity, biogas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas, alcohol fuels, and certain biomass stoves that meet emission targets. Scaling up access to these clean alternatives is crucial to reducing the health and environmental impacts of cooking with polluting fuels.
Additionally, indoor air pollution is not limited to households that cook with polluting fuels. Even in developed countries, indoor air pollution can occur during cooking activities. For example, stir-frying can cause levels of traditional air pollutants to peak at ten times the maximum observed outdoors. Therefore, it is essential to ensure proper ventilation and remove pollutants to improve indoor air quality.
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Poor ventilation
Inadequate ventilation can also lead to excessive moisture and high humidity, which promotes the growth of mould, dust mites, cockroaches, bacteria, and viruses, further impacting health. This can be a particular problem in colder climates, where natural ventilation through open windows is insufficient, and mechanical ventilation systems may not be adequate to remove the moisture.
Indoor air pollution can also be caused by chemicals used in construction or renovation, such as glues, off-gassing from carpets, and emissions from particleboard. Incomplete combustion of gas-powered appliances, such as cook stoves, furnaces, and water heaters, can contribute to indoor contaminants if not properly ventilated.
To improve indoor air quality, it is essential to ensure proper ventilation. This can be achieved through natural ventilation by opening windows and doors or through mechanical ventilation systems. Maintaining relative humidity between 30-60% can help prevent mould growth, and duct sealing can minimise the spread of pollutants within the home.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued guidelines for indoor air quality, providing evidence-based guidance on clean fuels and technologies to reduce household air pollution and protect health. These include the use of solar power, electricity, biogas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas, alcohol fuels, and biomass stoves that meet emission targets.
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Radon
If high levels of radon are detected, it is important to work with a professional to install a mitigation system. These systems collect radon gas from underneath the home and vent it outside, reducing indoor radon levels. Preventing radon accumulation in newly built houses is now included in many national building codes, and frequent ventilation is recommended to reduce radon levels.
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Cleaning products
Household cleaning products can have a significant impact on the environment and human health. Traditional cleaning products are resource-intensive to produce, challenging to dispose of, and can pollute water and air. They contain toxic chemicals that can be harmful to any living organism and can contaminate water sources, including rivers, streams, lakes, and even groundwater. For example, phosphates in laundry and dishwasher detergents can act as fertilisers, promoting algae growth and reducing water oxygen levels and biodiversity. Furthermore, chemicals from cleaning products can persist in the environment, entering the food chain and causing adverse effects on aquatic life, such as damaging fish gills and disrupting their protective mucus layer.
The use of cleaning products can also contribute to air pollution. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in these products can affect indoor and outdoor air quality, leading to an increase in outdoor smog. VOCs emitted by cleaning products can remain in the air for extended periods, contaminating indoor air up to ten times more than outdoor air. A 2023 study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) detected 530 unique VOCs in 30 tested products, with 193 classified as hazardous. These VOCs have potential health risks, including respiratory system damage, increased cancer risk, and developmental and reproductive issues. The risk is particularly high for cleaning industry workers, who have an elevated risk of developing asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
To mitigate the environmental and health impacts of cleaning products, consumers are encouraged to opt for "green" or eco-friendly alternatives. Green cleaning solutions are designed to minimise environmental harm and potential health risks. They emit fewer hazardous VOCs, reducing indoor air pollution and outdoor smog. Green products also tend to use reusable, reduced, or recyclable packaging, minimising waste and lowering carbon emissions from transport.
When choosing cleaning products, it is essential to research ingredients and opt for renewable, biodegradable, and non-toxic options. Organisations like Green Seal and Safer Choice review products for their health and environmental effects. The US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Design for the Environment (DfE) Program labels antimicrobial products that meet strict environmental and health criteria. Additionally, consumers can look for third-party certifications, such as the EWG VERIFIED® mark, which indicates products formulated to be safer for human health and the environment.
By making conscious choices and selecting green cleaning products, individuals can play a vital role in reducing the pollution and health risks associated with traditional cleaning products, contributing to a healthier environment and improved personal wellbeing.
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Moisture
Sources of Moisture
Daily activities can also contribute to moisture levels in the home. Cooking, showering, and running water can all add moisture to the air. The use of appliances such as humidifiers, kerosene heaters, and gas refrigerators can also release moisture. In addition, plants can emit moisture, and drying clothes indoors can increase moisture levels.
Preventing and Controlling Moisture
To prevent moisture from becoming a problem, it is important to identify and address the source. This may involve fixing leaks, improving ventilation, and controlling humidity levels.
Ventilation is key to controlling moisture. Exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms can help remove moisture, and it is important to ensure these spaces are well-ventilated. Opening windows, even just a little in the winter, can help to bring in dry outdoor air and allow moist air to escape. A whole-house ventilation system can also be considered.
Controlling humidity is also important. Relative humidity levels should ideally be kept between 30% and 50%, and below 50% to prevent moisture problems. Dehumidifiers can be used to reduce humidity, especially in hot, humid climates. Air conditioning units can also help, but they must be properly sized and maintained, or they may contribute to the problem.
Other solutions include sealing air leaks and gaps to prevent humid outdoor air from entering the home, and adding or replacing insulation to resist moisture and keep humidity out.
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Frequently asked questions
Household air pollution is caused by the use of inefficient and polluting fuels and technologies in and around the home. These include the use of solid fuels such as wood, crop waste, charcoal, coal, and dung, as well as kerosene, for cooking and heating.
Household air pollution has serious health effects and is a leading cause of disability-adjusted life years globally. It is responsible for an estimated 3.2 million deaths per year, including over 237,000 children under the age of five. The health effects include non-communicable diseases such as stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer.
There are at least sixty sources of household air pollution, including indoor tobacco smoking, construction materials, fuel used for cooking and heating, incense, mosquito repellents, pesticides, cleaning chemicals, and artificial fragrances.
Household air pollution can be reduced by using clean fuels and technologies, such as solar, electricity, biogas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas, and alcohol fuels. Improving ventilation in homes can also help reduce household air pollution by removing pollutants and improving indoor air quality.
Household air pollution levels can be higher than outdoor air pollution, especially when cooking or using certain products. However, overall levels of traditional air pollutants are generally lower indoors compared to outdoors.
