Bronte Wells
Household air pollution is a serious issue that can have significant adverse health impacts. It is caused by a variety of sources, including the use of polluting fuels and technologies, such as solid fuels and kerosene, for cooking, heating, and lighting. Other sources include tobacco smoking, construction materials, incense, mosquito repellents, pesticides, cleaning chemicals, and artificial fragrances. Poor ventilation and indoor smoke can lead to high levels of fine particles and pollutants that penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing various health issues. Strategies to reduce household air pollution include adopting clean fuels and technologies, improving ventilation, and addressing all household energy uses. Additionally, insect infestations, mould, and faulty construction can further contribute to indoor air quality issues. Understanding and addressing these issues are crucial to creating a healthy and secure home environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Household air pollution causes | Indoor tobacco smoking, construction material used in building houses, fuel used for cooking, heating and lighting, incense, mosquito repellents, pesticides, chemicals used for cleaning, artificial fragrances, etc. |
| Health effects | Stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), illnesses, inflammation of airways and lungs, impaired immune response, reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of blood |
| Pollutants | Smoke, pollen, viruses, bacteria, plant debris, pet saliva and animal dander, mould, mildew, biological contaminants, dust, mite allergens |
| Solutions | Use of clean fuels and technologies (solar, electricity, biogas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas, alcohol fuels, biomass stoves), improved ventilation, communication campaigns, allergen-proof mattress encasements, hot water washing of bedding, exhaust fans, air conditioners, dehumidifiers |
| Greenhouse gas emissions in 2022 | 6,343.2 Million Metric Tons of CO₂ equivalent |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking with solid fuels
The combustion of solid fuels releases dangerous particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and other toxic pollutants. This indoor air pollution contributes significantly to ambient outdoor air pollution, including toxic gases, particulate matter, and black carbon. Globally, cooking with solid fuels is responsible for up to 25% of total controllable black carbon emissions, but this can be as high as 60-80% in some African and Asian countries. Black carbon has a much higher climate warming capacity than carbon dioxide, making it a significant contributor to climate change.
The health impacts of household air pollution from solid fuels are significant. Exposure to indoor air pollution from burning solid fuels causes approximately 3.2 million premature deaths worldwide annually, including over 237,000 children under the age of five. The pollution contributes to various diseases, including childhood pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, ischaemic heart disease, 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.
To address the health and environmental risks associated with cooking with solid fuels, it is essential to promote the use of clean fuels and improved stoves. Clean cooking fuels include solar, electricity, biogas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas, and alcohol fuels. Improved biomass stoves that meet emission targets can also significantly reduce emissions and improve air quality. Efforts to increase access to and adoption of clean cooking technologies and fuels include financial support, improved ventilation and housing design, and communication campaigns to encourage clean energy use.
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Poor ventilation
Homes with poor ventilation can experience a build-up of airborne contaminants and high humidity levels, which can spur mould and moisture problems. Signs of poor ventilation include moisture condensation on windows or walls, mould or mildew growth, and stuffy or smelly air. Inadequate ventilation can also lead to excessive indoor humidity, particularly in cooler climates, as normal activities like cooking, bathing, and even breathing create moisture.
In homes with mechanical ventilation, such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, it is important to ensure they are well-maintained and properly designed to manage humidity. Without proper dehumidification, mould growth can be promoted. Zonal ventilation systems are an energy-efficient option, ventilating only the areas where people are present, saving energy and reducing noise.
To improve ventilation and air quality, the American Lung Association recommends using exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to remove moisture and fumes, running fans during and after bathing, and using ceiling fans to improve airflow, preferably with open windows. It is also important to be mindful of outdoor air pollution sources, such as busy highways or industrial emissions, and avoid excessive outdoor air intake on poor air quality days.
Overall, proper ventilation is crucial to maintaining a healthy indoor environment, reducing health risks associated with airborne contaminants and high humidity levels.
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Smoking indoors
Secondhand smoke is the smoke that comes from the end of a burning tobacco cigarette or the smoke exhaled by someone in the act of smoking. It can spread through doorways, cracks in walls, electrical lines, ventilation systems, and plumbing. It can also travel between apartment units in multi-unit dwellings, which is both a common problem and a health risk for residents. Thirdhand smoke is the toxic residue left behind, which can be a serious health hazard as it contains dangerous chemicals that are poisonous to humans and is difficult to clean from common fabrics and surfaces.
To reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, some steps can be taken, such as not smoking or allowing anyone to smoke in your home or car. Educating others about the benefits of smokefree laws and policies in public places, workplaces, and housing is also essential. Landlords and property owners can adopt policies prohibiting smoking in all indoor areas, which is within their legal rights.
If you are exposed to secondhand smoke in your home, there are some temporary solutions such as plugging underneath doors or sealing cracks in walls. However, eliminating secondhand smoke exposure indoors is the only permanent solution, which may involve properly cleaning and renovating the space or avoiding spending time inside the home.
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Insect infestations
Cockroaches are a common insect pest that can be found in various places in the home, including kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements. They are attracted to soap residue and can transmit food-borne illnesses. Cockroaches can also trigger asthma due to a protein in their saliva, droppings, and on their bodies. To prevent an infestation, keep your home clean and free of food residue. Seal any cracks or crevices that may provide entry points, and use pest control products if necessary.
Bed bugs are small, flat, oval-shaped insects that are wingless and brown in color. They hide in mattresses, bed frames, furniture, and other tight spaces. Bed bugs can be challenging to eradicate, but you can prevent them by regularly washing bedding and vacuuming your mattress and surrounding areas.
Ants are another common household pest. They are attracted to food, so it's important to keep your home clean and free of crumbs and other food sources. Seal any cracks or crevices that may provide entry points, and use ant traps or baits if necessary.
Flies, including fruit flies, drain flies, and houseflies, can be annoying and unsanitary. To prevent flies from becoming a problem, keep your trash cans tightly closed and your home clean. For fruit flies, specifically, get rid of overripe or rotting fruit, and use a mixture of dish soap and vinegar to trap and kill them.
Other common household insect pests include fleas, spiders, gnats, meal moths, and stink bugs. While some of these insects may be harmless, it's important to properly identify them and take the necessary steps to prevent and control infestations. If you are unsure or the infestation is severe, contact a pest control professional for advice and treatment options.
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Construction materials
The construction industry has a large environmental footprint, with the buildings and construction sector being the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, accounting for 37% of global emissions. The materials used in construction often have a significant carbon footprint, with cement, steel, and aluminium being responsible for 23% of overall global emissions.
The production of cement, for example, involves a chemical reaction that releases carbon into the atmosphere. Six to eight per cent of global emissions can be attributed to the cement industry, more than that of global aviation. Steel and aluminium production also have a large environmental impact, contributing to the sector's overall emissions.
To reduce the environmental impact of construction materials, developers and architects are increasingly turning to nature-based alternatives, such as timber, bamboo, clay, straw, or hemp. These materials can capture carbon as they grow, turning buildings into carbon sinks over their lifetimes. For example, the start-up TRIQBRIQ creates load-bearing modular timber building blocks.
While these alternative materials exist, they tend to be more expensive, and builders often distrust them. However, manufacturers are finding ways to make their conventional products more environmentally friendly.
To effectively address the challenge of decarbonising building materials, international collaboration is needed across the entire lifecycle of the buildings sector. Three key strategies have been identified: avoiding unnecessary extraction and production, shifting to regenerative materials, and improving the decarbonisation of conventional materials.
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Frequently asked questions
Household air pollution is generated by the use of inefficient and polluting fuels and technologies in and around the home. There are at least sixty sources of household air pollution, including tobacco smoking, construction materials, fuel used for cooking, incense, mosquito repellents, pesticides, and cleaning chemicals.
Household air pollution has similar negative health effects to environmental pollution. Exposure to household air pollution can lead to non-communicable diseases such as stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. It can also cause inflammation of the airways and lungs, impaired immune response, and reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
To reduce household air pollution, it is recommended to transition to clean fuels and technologies, such as solar, electricity, biogas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas, and alcohol fuels. Additionally, increasing ventilation by opening windows and using fans can help lower indoor air pollutant concentrations.
Indoor air pollutants can come from various sources, including tobacco smoke, mould, pollen, viruses, bacteria, household pets, and pest infestations. Using air purifiers or allergen-proof mattress encasements can help reduce exposure to indoor air pollutants.
