Air Pollution's Hidden Danger: Who's Warning For Homes

Household air pollution is a leading cause of disease and premature death, with around 2.1 billion people worldwide cooking with inefficient stoves fuelled by kerosene, biomass, coal, and other solid fuels, which generate harmful household air pollution. In 2020, an estimated 3.2 million people died prematurely each year from diseases caused by household air pollution, including over 237,000 children under the age of five. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued guidelines for indoor air quality, offering practical evidence-based guidance on clean fuels and technologies to reduce household air pollution and protect health.

Clean fuels and technologies

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines clean fuels and technologies as those that are clean for health at the point of use and meet emission targets in the WHO Guidelines. Examples of clean fuels include solar, electricity, biogas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas, and alcohol fuels. Clean technologies include biomass stoves that meet emission targets, as well as improved ventilation for cooking areas.

The use of clean fuels and technologies has been shown to have significant health benefits. For example, studies have found that improved stoves and cleaner fuels can lead to lower blood pressure in pregnant women and reduce the risk of acute lower respiratory tract infections in children. Additionally, clean cooking programs can reduce emissions and improve environmental quality, contributing to climate change mitigation.

However, access to clean fuels and technologies is still limited in many low- and middle-income countries, particularly in rural areas. Efforts to increase the use of clean alternatives focus on affordability, reliability, and efficiency, while also addressing safety risks associated with polluting fuels, such as burns, scalds, and childhood poisonings from kerosene.

Transitioning to clean fuels and technologies is crucial to reducing the health and environmental impacts of household air pollution. By doing so, we can protect the health and well-being of billions of people, particularly women and children, who bear the greatest burden of polluting fuels and technologies.

Health risks and diseases

Household air pollution is a major health concern, causing millions of premature deaths annually. It is particularly dangerous for women and children, who are typically responsible for household chores such as cooking and collecting firewood. The use of polluting fuels and technologies, such as solid fuels (wood, crop waste, charcoal, coal, and dung) and kerosene, in inefficient stoves or open fires, results in high levels of indoor air pollution. This, in turn, leads to a range of adverse health outcomes.

The specific diseases most strongly linked to household air pollution include respiratory infections, heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. Long-term exposure to household air pollution increases the risk of non-communicable diseases, including respiratory cancers, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Shorter-term exposure, ranging from days to months, can lead to more acute health issues such as pneumonia and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Exposure to household air pollution is responsible for a significant proportion of pneumonia deaths in children under five, with almost half of these deaths attributed to indoor air pollution.

Household air pollution is also associated with a higher risk of other diseases. There is evidence linking it to low birth weight, pre-term birth, small for gestational age, asthma, ear infections, upper respiratory infections, tuberculosis, cataract, nasopharyngeal and laryngeal cancers, and cervical cancer. The 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. Short-term exposure can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, as well as coughing.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed guidelines for indoor air quality and household fuel combustion to address these issues. These guidelines provide recommendations on the types of fuels and technologies that can reduce health risks. Additionally, WHO supports the transition to cleaner fuels and technologies and maintains a global household energy database to monitor progress. These efforts aim to mitigate the negative health impacts of household air pollution and protect the health of vulnerable populations, particularly women and children in low- and middle-income countries.

Inefficient cooking practices

Household air pollution from inefficient cooking practices has severe health consequences. It was responsible for an estimated 3.2 million deaths per year in 2020, with over 237,000 of those being children under the age of five. The leading causes of these premature deaths include ischaemic heart disease, stroke, lower respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. Women and children, who typically bear the responsibility of cooking and collecting firewood, are disproportionately affected by the health risks associated with inefficient cooking practices.

The use of inefficient cooking devices and fuels also has indirect negative impacts. The time spent using and preparing these inefficient and polluting devices constrains opportunities for health, education, leisure, and economic development. Additionally, the reliance on solid fuels can lead to musculoskeletal damage from carrying heavy loads of fuel, as well as injuries and violence during fuel collection, especially in insecure areas.

To address the health and environmental issues associated with inefficient cooking practices, it is crucial to promote the adoption of clean fuels and technologies. This includes expanding access to solar energy, electricity, biogas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas, alcohol fuels, and improved biomass stoves that meet the emission targets outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO). These alternatives offer cleaner and more efficient cooking solutions, reducing household air pollution and protecting the health and well-being of those affected.

Furthermore, it is important to recognize the role of cleaner cooking technologies in mitigating climate change and biodiversity loss. By transitioning to more efficient cooking practices, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow down the environmental degradation caused by the burning of solid fuels. This transition not only improves health outcomes but also contributes to global efforts to address climate change and promote sustainability.

Global awareness initiatives

Household air pollution is a serious issue that affects billions of people worldwide, causing millions of premature deaths annually. It is caused by the use of polluting fuels and technologies, such as solid fuels like wood, crop waste, charcoal, coal, and dung, as well as kerosene, burned in open fires or inefficient stoves. This generates harmful pollutants, including small soot particles that penetrate deep into the lungs, leading to various health issues and contributing to climate change.

To address this global issue, several global awareness initiatives have been undertaken by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP):

World Health Organization (WHO) Initiatives:

• Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Household Fuel Combustion: WHO issued guidelines offering practical evidence-based guidance on clean fuels and technologies for household use. They discourage the use of kerosene and unprocessed coal and provide emission rate targets to protect health.
• Household Energy Database: This database monitors global progress in transitioning to cleaner fuels and stove combinations in households. It also assesses the disease burden from household air pollution caused by polluting fuels and technologies.
• Technical Support and Research: WHO provides technical support to member states and countries in evaluating and scaling up health-promoting household fuels and technologies. They work with researchers and partners to harmonize evaluation methods for consistent and rigorous health impact assessments.
• Clean Household Energy Advocacy: WHO emphasizes the health benefits of cleaner household energy in global forums addressing maternal and child health issues related to pneumonia and non-communicable diseases. They are also partners in the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to reduce short-lived climate pollutants.

United Nations Initiatives:

International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies: The United Nations, through UNEP, launched an annual event to raise awareness and facilitate actions to improve air quality globally. It aims to encourage innovative ways to reduce air pollution and ensure everyone's right to breathe clean air.

Through these initiatives, global awareness of the dangers of household air pollution is being raised, and actions are being promoted to adopt cleaner fuels and technologies, ultimately improving health and reducing the environmental impact of household air pollution.

Sources of household air pollution

Household air pollution is a major global health concern, causing an estimated 3.2 million deaths per year. It is caused by a variety of sources, including:

Combustion of Polluting Fuels

The burning of polluting fuels, such as wood, animal dung, charcoal, agricultural waste, coal, and kerosene, in open fires or inefficient stoves is a significant source of household air pollution. Around 2.1 billion people worldwide rely on these fuels for cooking, heating, and lighting, releasing harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and fine particulate matter.

Indoor Tobacco Smoking

Tobacco smoke is a well-known source of indoor air pollution, releasing over 7000 chemical compounds, including many known carcinogens, when burned.

Construction and Building Materials

Certain construction materials used in building houses can contribute to household air pollution. For example, asbestos sheets, varnished wood, and vinyl flooring may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or other toxic chemicals into the indoor air.

Cooking, Heating, and Lighting Practices

The use of solid fuels, such as biomass fuel, and inefficient cooking stoves is more common in rural communities and developing countries. The incomplete combustion of these fuels releases toxic pollutants, including fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds.

Mosquito Repellents, Pesticides, Cleaning Chemicals, and Artificial Fragrances

The use of mosquito repellents, pesticides, cleaning chemicals, and artificial fragrances can also contribute to household air pollution. These products often contain chemicals that can be harmful when inhaled or come into contact with the skin or eyes.

It is important to note that the sources of household air pollution can vary from country to country, and a comprehensive understanding of these sources is crucial for developing effective interventions and policies to improve indoor air quality and protect public health.

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