Indoor Air Quality: A Silent Killer In Homes

Household air pollution is a serious issue, causing an estimated 3.2 million deaths per year. The majority of these deaths occur in Africa and Asia, with 36% in South Asia, 30% in sub-Saharan Africa, and 28% in Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania. Women and children, who are typically responsible for household chores such as cooking and collecting firewood, bear the greatest health burden from the use of polluting fuels and technologies in homes. The main causes of death from household air pollution are ischaemic heart disease, stroke, lower respiratory infection, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer.

Ischaemic heart disease

Each year, 3.2 million people die prematurely from illnesses attributable to household air pollution. Of these deaths, 32% are from ischaemic heart disease. This means that 12% of all deaths due to ischaemic heart disease, accounting for over a million premature deaths annually, can be attributed to exposure to household air pollution.

Household air pollution is caused by the incomplete combustion of solid fuels and kerosene used for cooking. Particulate matter and other pollutants in household air pollution inflame the airways and lungs, impair immune response and reduce the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. This can lead to ischaemic heart disease, as well as other noncommunicable diseases including stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer.

Women and children, typically responsible for household chores such as cooking and collecting firewood, bear the greatest health burden from the use of polluting fuels and technologies in homes. In 2019, household air pollution accounted for the loss of an estimated 86 million healthy life years, with the largest burden falling on women living in low- and middle-income countries.

The vast majority of deaths attributed to household air pollution occur in Africa and Asia. In 2019, long-term exposure to household air pollution from the burning of solid fuels for cooking contributed to 2.31 million deaths, about 4% of all global deaths. Most of these deaths occurred in South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania. China and India, despite declining exposure and death rates attributable to household air pollution, together account for about 42% of global household air pollution deaths due to their large populations.

Stroke

Approximately 23% of the 3.2 million deaths from household air pollution exposure are from strokes. This equates to around 12% of all deaths due to strokes.

Household air pollution is caused by the incomplete combustion of solid fuels and kerosene used for cooking. The particulate matter and other pollutants in household air pollution inflame the airways and lungs, impair the immune response, and reduce the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. This can lead to strokes and other serious health conditions, such as ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer.

Women and children, who are typically responsible for household chores such as cooking and collecting firewood, bear the greatest health burden from the use of polluting fuels and technologies in homes. In 2020, household air pollution was responsible for an estimated 237,000 deaths of children under the age of five. Additionally, in low- and middle-income countries, women are disproportionately affected by household air pollution, with the largest burden falling on them.

The majority of deaths attributed to household air pollution occur in Africa and Asia, with China and India accounting for about 42% of global household air pollution deaths due to their large exposed populations. In 2019, long-term exposure to household air pollution from the burning of solid fuels for cooking contributed to 2.31 million deaths, about 4% of all global deaths.

Lower respiratory infection

Exposure to household air pollution almost doubles the risk of childhood lower respiratory infection (LRI). 21% of the 3.2 million deaths caused by household air pollution are due to LRI.

Household air pollution is caused by the incomplete combustion of solid fuels and kerosene used for cooking. Particulate matter and other pollutants in household air pollution inflame the airways and lungs, impair immune response and reduce the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Women and children, who are typically responsible for household chores such as cooking and collecting firewood, bear the greatest health burden from the use of polluting fuels and technologies in homes.

In 2019, long-term exposure to household air pollution from the burning of solid fuels for cooking contributed to 2.31 million deaths, about 4% of all global deaths. Most of these deaths occurred in South Asia (36%), sub-Saharan Africa (30%), and Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania (28%). China and India, despite declining exposure and death rates attributable to household air pollution, together account for about 42% of global household air pollution deaths due to their large populations.

Household air pollution exposure leads to noncommunicable diseases including stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Household air pollution was responsible for an estimated 3.2 million deaths per year in 2020, including over 237,000 deaths of children under the age of five. The combined effects of ambient air pollution and household air pollution are associated with 6.7 million premature deaths annually.

Household air pollution is caused by the incomplete combustion of solid fuels and kerosene used for cooking. Women and children, who are typically responsible for household chores such as cooking and collecting firewood, bear the greatest health burden from the use of polluting fuels and technologies in homes.

To reduce the number of deaths caused by household air pollution, it is essential to expand the use of clean fuels and technologies.

Lung cancer

Household air pollution is responsible for an estimated 3.2 million deaths per year, including over 237,000 deaths of children under the age of five. Of these deaths, 6% are from lung cancer. This means that approximately 11% of lung cancer deaths in adults are attributable to exposure to carcinogens from household air pollution caused by using kerosene or solid fuels like wood, charcoal or coal for household energy needs.

The burning of solid fuels for cooking contributes to the majority of these deaths. In 2019, 2.31 million deaths were caused by long-term exposure to household air pollution from the burning of solid fuels. This is about 4% of all global deaths.

The combined effects of ambient air pollution and household air pollution are associated with 6.7 million premature deaths annually. Household air pollution exposure leads to noncommunicable diseases including stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer.

Women and children, typically responsible for household chores such as cooking and collecting firewood, bear the greatest health burden from the use of polluting fuels and technologies in homes. It is essential to expand the use of clean fuels and technologies to reduce household air pollution and protect health.

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