Indoor Air Pollution: Who's At Risk?

Indoor air pollution is a significant health risk, causing an estimated 3.2 million deaths per year. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified indoor air pollution as the world's largest single environmental health risk. It is caused by the use of polluting fuels and technologies, such as inefficient stoves and open fires, which release harmful pollutants, including fine particulate matter and carbon monoxide. These pollutants can lead to a range of health issues, from short-term irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat to more severe problems such as respiratory diseases, asthma, heart disease, and cancer. Exposure is particularly high among women and children, who typically bear the responsibility of household chores such as cooking and collecting firewood. The WHO has issued guidelines for indoor air quality, aiming to provide health-based recommendations on clean fuels and technologies, and strategies for their dissemination and adoption.

• Heart disease
• Pneumonia
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Lung cancer
• Low birth weight
• Stillbirth
• Asthma
• Ear infections
• Upper respiratory infections
• Tuberculosis
• Cataract
• Nasopharyngeal and laryngeal cancers
• Cervical cancer
• Eye irritation
• Coughing
• Nose and throat irritation
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Fatigue | | Pollutants | - Fine particulate matter
• Carbon monoxide
• Benzene
• Formaldehyde
• Trichloroethylene
• Radon
• Tobacco smoke | | Causes | - Burning of polluting fuels such as wood, animal dung, charcoal, agricultural waste, and kerosene
• Poor ventilation
• High temperature and humidity
• Tobacco smoke
• Cleaning products | | Solutions | - Use of clean fuels and technologies such as solar, electricity, biogas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas, and alcohol fuels
• Improved ventilation
• Reducing or eliminating human activities that release pollutants, such as smoking tobacco |

Indoor air pollution is caused by the use of polluting fuels and technologies in and around the home

Indoor air pollution is a significant health risk, causing an estimated 3.2 million deaths per year, including over 237,000 children under the age of five. It is caused by the use of inefficient and polluting fuels and technologies in and around the home. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified this issue as the "world's largest single environmental health risk".

The problem is particularly acute in low-income households, which often rely on solid traditional fuel sources such as biomass (including wood, animal dung, and crop waste), charcoal, and coal. These fuels are burned for cooking, heating, and lighting, and the inefficient combustion of these fuels generates harmful pollutants. In poorly ventilated dwellings, indoor smoke can have levels of fine particles 100 times higher than acceptable. Exposure is particularly high among women and children, who spend the most time near the domestic hearth and are often responsible for household chores such as cooking and collecting firewood.

The use of polluting fuels and technologies also poses safety risks. Kerosene, for example, is the leading cause of childhood poisoning as it is often sold in refilled soda bottles. Open fires and unstable stoves also result in burns and scalds, especially among children. Additionally, fuel collection increases the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, violence, and pregnancy complications.

WHO has issued guidelines for indoor air quality and household fuel combustion to address this issue. These guidelines provide health-based recommendations on clean fuels and technologies, such as solar, electricity, biogas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas, and alcohol fuels. They also emphasize the importance of addressing all household energy uses, particularly cooking, space heating, and lighting, to improve health and environmental outcomes.

Access to clean fuels and technologies is increasing globally, and death rates from household air pollution are declining as a result. However, income remains a strong determinant of energy access and fuel sources, with solid fuel use still prevalent in poorer countries and regions. Significant policy changes are needed to rapidly increase access to clean fuels and technologies, address health inequities, and mitigate climate change.

Health effects of indoor air pollution include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue

Indoor air pollution is a significant health risk, affecting around 2.1 billion people globally. It is caused by the use of inefficient and polluting fuels and technologies, such as open fires or inefficient stoves, in and around the home. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued guidelines for indoor air quality, aiming to address the negative health impacts of household air pollution.

Health effects of indoor air pollution are varied and range from mild irritation to more severe, long-term conditions. Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat is a common symptom of exposure to indoor air pollution. This can be caused by pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, a colorless and odorless gas, or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in building materials, pesticides, and cleaning supplies. Tobacco smoke, paint, and biological contaminants like mold can also irritate the eyes, nose, and throat.

Headaches are another frequent adverse effect of indoor air pollution. Pollutants like VOCs, tobacco smoke, and carbon monoxide can trigger headaches. Carbon monoxide, an odorless gas, can also lead to reduced exercise capacity, nausea, dizziness, and, in severe cases, even death. The health consequences of indoor air pollution are not limited to physical ailments; neurotoxic effects such as irritability and fatigue have also been associated with exposure to indoor pollutants.

In addition to the immediate health impacts, indoor air pollution has been linked to more serious long-term health issues. Prolonged exposure to certain pollutants may result in kidney, liver, or central nervous system damage. Fine particulate matter and other pollutants in indoor smoke can cause inflammation in the airways and lungs, impairing immune response and reducing oxygen-carrying capacity in the blood. This can lead to respiratory illnesses, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer.

The effects of indoor air pollution disproportionately impact certain groups. Women and children, who typically spend more time near the domestic hearth and are responsible for household chores like cooking and collecting firewood, bear the brunt of the health burden from polluting fuels and technologies. Children, the elderly, and those with chronic respiratory conditions are especially susceptible to indoor air pollutants.

In 2020, indoor air pollution was linked to approximately 3.2 million deaths globally, including 237,000 children under five

Indoor air pollution is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to human health worldwide. In 2020, approximately 3.2 million deaths were linked to indoor air pollution, with a staggering 237,000 of those deaths occurring in children under five years of age. This issue is particularly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, where the use of polluting fuels and inefficient technologies is widespread.

Household air pollution is primarily caused by the use of polluting fuels, such as wood, animal dung, charcoal, agricultural waste, and kerosene. These fuels are burned for cooking, heating, and lighting, often in open fires or inefficient stoves. The combustion of these fuels releases harmful pollutants, including fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and various toxins. Poor ventilation in dwellings exacerbates the problem, with indoor smoke reaching levels of fine particles up to 100 times higher than acceptable.

The health impacts of indoor air pollution are severe and far-reaching. Exposure to pollutants can cause short-term symptoms such as burning eyes, coughing, and nose and throat irritation. More importantly, long-term exposure leads to serious non-communicable diseases, including stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. In children, indoor air pollution is linked to pneumonia, asthma, and lower respiratory infections, contributing to a significant number of deaths under the age of five.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the urgency of this issue and has taken several steps to address it. They have developed guidelines for indoor air quality, providing recommendations on clean fuels and technologies, such as solar, electricity, biogas, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). WHO also maintains a global household energy database to monitor the transition to cleaner fuels and technologies.

Despite these efforts, indoor air pollution remains a significant challenge, especially in developing countries. It is imperative that governments, businesses, and organizations continue to prioritize actions to reduce indoor air pollution, protect vulnerable populations, and improve access to clean energy solutions. The consequences of inaction are profound, impacting the health and well-being of current and future generations.

WHO develops guidelines for indoor air quality and household fuel combustion to provide recommendations on the types of fuels and technologies that protect health

The World Health Organization (WHO) develops and updates indoor air quality guidelines to address the health risks associated with household air pollution. These guidelines offer recommendations on fuels and technologies that protect health and are intended for use by public health policymakers and specialists in energy and resource issues.

The guidelines were first released in 1987 and have been updated regularly since then, with the latest global version published in 2005 and a 2021 update. The 2021 update was prompted by the persistent threat of air pollution to public health. The WHO air quality guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations on limit values for specific air pollutants, aiming to assist countries in achieving air quality that safeguards public health.

WHO's indoor air quality guidelines focus on reducing household air pollution, which is caused by the use of solid fuels such as wood, animal dung, charcoal, crop wastes, and coal in inefficient and highly polluting stoves for cooking and heating. These solid fuels contribute to indoor air pollution, adversely affecting the health of individuals, especially children. The guidelines address this issue by recommending against the use of unprocessed coal and kerosene as household fuels due to their health and safety risks.

To develop these guidelines, WHO establishes multiple expert groups, each with specific functions. One group selects the pollutants to be updated, such as particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. Other teams of experts prepare background materials, including literature reviews and assessments, which are then reviewed by the main group of experts. Based on this information, another Expert Group decides on the format and content of the updated guidelines, making recommended changes.

The WHO guidelines also incorporate scientific evidence from multiple countries, ensuring their relevance to diverse conditions worldwide. They provide recommendations for clean fuels and technologies, identifying energy systems that are considered safe for health in the home. Additionally, the guidelines specify emission levels that pose health risks, helping policymakers and specialists make informed decisions to reduce household air pollution.

Indoor air pollution is a significant problem in low-income countries and developing countries

Indoor air pollution is a pressing issue in low-income countries and developing nations. It is a major global public health threat, causing an estimated 2 million excess deaths in developing countries annually, with a further 4% of the global disease burden. The problem is caused by the widespread use of inefficient and polluting fuels and technologies in and around the home. These include the burning of wood, animal dung, charcoal, agricultural waste, and kerosene in open fires or basic stoves, which do not allow for complete combustion. As a result, harmful pollutants are released into the indoor environment, with poor ventilation exacerbating the issue.

Women and children are particularly vulnerable to the adverse health effects of indoor air pollution. They typically spend the most time near the domestic hearth, as they are often responsible for household chores such as cooking and collecting firewood. The pollutants released from inefficient fuel combustion can cause serious health issues, including pneumonia in children, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, stroke, and cardiovascular disease in adults. The fine particulate matter in indoor smoke can also cause inflammation in the airways and lungs, impairing immune response and reducing oxygen-carrying capacity in the blood.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the severity of this issue and has taken several steps to address it. They have developed guidelines for indoor air quality, offering practical recommendations on clean fuels and technologies. These guidelines discourage the use of certain fuels, such as kerosene and unprocessed coal, and emphasize the importance of adopting cleaner alternatives for cooking, space heating, and lighting.

Despite these efforts, the transition to cleaner fuels and technologies in low-income and developing countries remains challenging. There is a need for increased research and policy-making efforts, as well as a systematic approach to intervention development and evaluation. Recognizing the interrelationships between poverty, indoor air pollution, and dependence on polluting fuels is crucial for effective solutions. Furthermore, disparities in exposure to indoor air pollution across socioeconomic groups exist even in high-income countries, underscoring the need for targeted remedial actions to improve indoor air quality globally.

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