Greta Jimenez
Cooking smoke kills millions of people every year, with nearly one in three people worldwide cooking on inefficient stoves or open fires, and breathing in harmful smoke from fuels such as wood, charcoal, dung, and coal. This is a major issue in low- and middle-income countries, where modern cookstoves are scarce. Household air pollution can increase the risk of noncommunicable diseases, including stroke, ischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. Replacing old open fireplaces with modern wood stoves can reduce particulate pollution, but the most effective way to decrease household air pollution is to replace gas stoves with electric induction stoves.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of deaths caused by small cook fires | 2 million per year |
| Causes of death | Respiratory diseases, lung cancer, pneumonia |
| Populations at greater risk | Children, teenagers, older adults, people with lung disease, people with heart disease, pregnant women, outdoor workers, people of low socioeconomic status |
| Pollutants released | Nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde, polycyclic hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, benzene |
| Fuel sources | Coal, firewood, kerosene, biomass (wood, crop waste, animal dung), natural gas |
| Alternative cooking methods | Electric stoves, biogas, ethanol, liquid petroleum gas, high-efficiency charcoal, biomass pellets |
| Mitigation strategies | Replacing old fireplaces with modern stoves, improving ventilation, using exhaust hoods, opening windows |
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What You'll Learn
- Clean cooking methods can save lives, counter climate change and slow biodiversity loss
- Household air pollution can increase the risk of noncommunicable diseases
- Gas stoves generate many of the same pollutants as burning kerosene, biomass and coal
- Replacing an open fireplace with a new wood stove reduces particulate pollution
- Cooking over a small fire inside increases the risk of respiratory diseases, lung cancer and pneumonia
Clean cooking methods can save lives, counter climate change and slow biodiversity loss
Clean cooking methods can save lives, counter climate change, and slow biodiversity loss. Globally, nearly one in three people cook on inefficient stoves or over open fires, inhaling harmful smoke from solid fuels such as wood, charcoal, and animal dung. This has led to a public health crisis, with household air pollution causing an estimated 3.2 million deaths per year, including over 237,000 children under the age of five. The adverse health impacts of cooking with solid fuels were initially identified in dwellings where open fires or inefficient stoves were used, leading to the incomplete combustion of fuels and the generation of toxic gases and small particulates that penetrate the lungs and bloodstream.
The use of high-polluting cooking fuels, such as coal and firewood, also contributes significantly to climate change. These fuels produce as much planet-warming carbon dioxide as the aviation sector, with the burning of non-renewable charcoal and gas being a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the global demand for firewood contributes to the loss of 10 million hectares of forest every year, resulting in habitat destruction and biodiversity loss.
Clean cooking methods, such as switching to electric stoves, biogas, ethanol, or liquid petroleum gas, can significantly reduce emissions and improve air quality. Electric stoves, in particular, are becoming increasingly accessible to poor households in developing nations, thanks to the expansion of renewable energy sources and the development of small, affordable solar power systems. For example, Uganda has included targets for solar-powered electric cooking in its national climate strategy, aiming to have 50% of its citizens cooking with electricity by 2040.
Clean cooking not only reduces emissions and slows biodiversity loss but also offers economic benefits. For instance, a mother of six in Uganda purchased an electric cooking system for US$300 and estimates that she will cover the cost in less than two years, resulting in significant long-term savings. Additionally, clean cooking can reduce the time and effort spent on cooking, allowing individuals to pursue other economic opportunities.
Overall, promoting clean cooking methods is essential to saving lives, mitigating climate change, and preserving biodiversity. By transitioning away from high-polluting cooking fuels and adopting cleaner technologies, we can improve public health, protect the environment, and support sustainable economic growth.
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Household air pollution can increase the risk of noncommunicable diseases
Household air pollution is a major health concern, causing an estimated 7 million deaths annually, with nearly 3 million of these attributed to noncommunicable diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified air pollution as the single largest environmental health risk.
The use of polluting cooking fuels, such as coal, charcoal, wood, and animal dung, is a significant contributor to household air pollution. Incomplete combustion of these fuels releases toxic gases and small particulates, known as particulate matter (PM), which can penetrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream. This is particularly harmful to women and children, who are typically responsible for household chores and spend more time exposed to the harmful smoke.
The health impacts of household air pollution are far-reaching and can lead to an increased risk of noncommunicable diseases, including stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. Exposure to household air pollution is also associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as low birth weight and pre-term birth, and may affect the development of diabetes and neurological conditions in children.
To mitigate these risks, it is essential to transition to cleaner cooking methods and fuels. Electric stoves, biogas, ethanol, and liquid petroleum gas are cleaner alternatives that can significantly reduce household air pollution. Additionally, increasing kitchen ventilation, such as using exhaust hoods or simply opening windows, can help reduce personal risk from gas stoves.
Addressing household air pollution requires a combination of global efforts and individual actions. The WHO plays a crucial role in developing guidelines for indoor air quality and providing recommendations on cleaner fuels and technologies. At the same time, individuals can contribute by adopting cleaner cooking methods, improving ventilation, and advocating for broader societal responses to reduce the environmental and health impacts of air pollution.
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Gas stoves generate many of the same pollutants as burning kerosene, biomass and coal
Cooking smoke is a major cause of air pollution and kills millions of people every year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2019, household air pollution accounted for the loss of 86 million healthy life years, and 3.2 million deaths could be attributed to air pollutants in the home environment. The adverse health impacts of cooking were initially identified in dwellings where open fires or inefficient stoves fueled by kerosene, biomass (wood, crop waste, or animal dung), or coal were used to cook food.
Gas stoves, which burn natural gas, generate many of the same pollutants as burning kerosene, biomass, and coal. These include nitrogen dioxide (NO2), formaldehyde, and polycyclic hydrocarbons (PAHs). NO2 is of most concern for human health. Recent studies of apartments in New York City and Washington, D.C. found that cooking on gas stoves increased NO2 in kitchen air to 200-400 parts per billion (ppb), more than double the level identified as safe by the U.S. Gas stoves also generate hazardous air pollution via the leaking of unburned natural gas, which contains benzene, a known carcinogen.
Gas stoves also contribute to climate change by releasing two prevalent greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, which is generated by the combustion of natural gas, and methane, which is present in unburned natural gas that leaks from gas stoves. These gases accumulate in the atmosphere, trapping heat and contributing to climate change.
The most effective strategy for decreasing household air pollution is to replace gas stoves with electric induction stoves. However, this is not always a viable option, especially for those who are economically disadvantaged or renting and have limited options to change appliances. In these cases, increasing kitchen ventilation is the most effective approach to reducing personal risk from gas stoves. This can be done by using an exhaust hood that vents to the outside and running it at the highest flow rate, starting before cooking and continuing for 15 minutes after cooking. Other approaches include ensuring gas stoves are cleaned and adjusted annually to reduce carbon monoxide leaks, improving hood efficiency by cooking on back burners, and avoiding overheating food and spilling food on burners.
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Replacing an open fireplace with a new wood stove reduces particulate pollution
Household air pollution can increase the risk of numerous diseases, including stroke, ischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that in 2019, household air pollution accounted for 86 million healthy life years lost, and 3.2 million deaths annually. One of the most significant sources of household air pollution is cooking, specifically the use of high-polluting cooking fuels such as coal and firewood.
Open fireplaces, in particular, churn out smoke and particulates, contributing to poor indoor air quality. However, modern wood-burning stoves offer a cleaner and more efficient alternative. Replacing an old open fireplace with a new wood stove can reduce particulate pollution by up to 99.7%. Modern stoves combust wood efficiently, emitting as little as 0.1g of particulates per hour, which is well below the 3g per hour limit for stoves.
In addition to reducing particulate emissions, modern wood stoves can also help reduce carbon emissions. While burning wood does release carbon dioxide, it is still a more sustainable option than gas heating, which relies on fossil fuels and contributes significantly to climate change. Wood heating reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels and offers a carbon-neutral, sustainable heating option.
It is important to note that the benefits of modern wood stoves are maximized when they are properly installed and used correctly. EPA-certified stoves, for example, require proper ventilation and fire-building techniques to minimize smoke and particulate pollution. Additionally, initiatives such as the EPA-qualified fireplace program and financial incentives in some cities encourage the adoption of cleaner-burning appliances.
By replacing open fireplaces with modern wood stoves, we can significantly reduce particulate pollution and improve indoor air quality, contributing to a healthier and more sustainable environment.
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Cooking over a small fire inside increases the risk of respiratory diseases, lung cancer and pneumonia
Cooking over a small fire inside increases the risk of respiratory diseases, lung cancer, and pneumonia. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that in 2019, household air pollution accounted for the loss of 86 million healthy life years, and that 3.2 million deaths can be attributed to air pollutants in the home environment each year.
The use of high-polluting cooking fuels, such as coal, firewood, kerosene, biomass (including wood, crop waste, or animal dung), and coal, produces planet-warming carbon dioxide and toxic gases that penetrate deeply into the lungs and can enter the bloodstream. These gases include nitrogen dioxide (NO2), formaldehyde, and polycyclic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In addition, the leaking of unburned natural gas from gas stoves releases benzene, a known carcinogen.
The health risks of cooking over indoor fires hit women and children particularly hard, as they tend to spend more time inside the home during the day, increasing their exposure. In Africa, women and children account for 60% of early deaths related to smoke inhalation and household air pollution.
To reduce the health risks associated with cooking over small indoor fires, it is recommended to switch to cleaner appliances, such as electric stoves, or more efficient stoves that use charcoal or biomass pellets, which produce less smoke than traditional biomass stoves. Increasing kitchen ventilation is also crucial; using an exhaust hood that vents to the outside and running it before and after cooking can significantly reduce indoor air pollutants.
While modern wood-burning stoves that meet the latest emissions standards have been shown to have minimal effects on indoor pollution, it is important to note that open fires, whether for cooking or heating, can cause poor indoor air quality and increase the risk of respiratory issues and other health problems.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, small cook fires are a source of pollution. Cooking smoke kills millions every year. In low- and middle-income countries, nearly one in three people cook on inefficient stoves or over open fires, breathing in harmful smoke from solid fuels such as wood, charcoal, and animal dung.
Household air pollution can increase the risk for numerous noncommunicable diseases, including stroke, ischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, and lung cancer. It can also cause nose and throat irritation, headaches, fatigue, and nausea.
The most effective strategy for decreasing household air pollution is to replace gas stoves with electric induction stoves. If this is not possible, increasing kitchen ventilation is the best approach. This can be done by using an exhaust hood that vents to the outside, opening windows, and/or using a wall or ceiling exhaust fan.
Yes, modern stoves that meet the latest emissions standards have minimal effects on indoor pollution. These include stoves powered by electricity, biogas, ethanol, and liquid petroleum gas, which are cleaner and more efficient than traditional solid fuel stoves.
