Household Air Pollution: An Underestimated Threat to Health and Life

1 day ago
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When we talk about air pollution, many people first think of smog over large cities or exhaust fumes from busy roads. What is often overlooked is that for billions of people, the most dangerous air pollution does not occur outdoors, but inside their own homes.

The World Health Organization (WHO) considers household air pollution to be one of the largest preventable health risks worldwide.

What Is Household Pollution?

Household air pollution is mainly caused by cooking and heating with solid fuels such as wood, charcoal, coal, animal dung, and agricultural waste, as well as kerosene. These fuels are often burned in open fires or inefficient stoves, frequently without adequate ventilation. This combustion produces high concentrations of harmful pollutants, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and other toxic gases. In enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces, pollutant levels can far exceed recommended safety limits.

How Many People Are Affected?

According to the WHO, around 2.1 billion people worldwide still rely on polluting fuels for daily cooking. The most affected regions include Africa, Southeast Asia, and parts of Latin America. Despite international efforts, it is expected that by 2030 around 1.8 billion people will still lack access to clean cooking solutions.

Health Impacts: More Than Just Smoke in the Kitchen

The health consequences are severe. Household air pollution causes approximately 2.9 million premature deaths each year, according to the WHO, making it one of the leading environmental causes of death globally.

The most significant health conditions include:

Cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks
Stroke
Chronic respiratory diseases (COPD)
Acute lower respiratory infections, especially in children under five
Lung cancer, particularly among adults with long-term exposure

Most alarming is that a substantial share of fatal pneumonia cases in young children is linked to polluted indoor air.

Women and Children Bear the Greatest Burden

In many households, women and children spend the most time near cooking areas and are therefore exposed to the highest levels of pollution. Health impacts range from respiratory illnesses and eye problems to long-term heart and lung damage. Household air pollution also reinforces social inequality. Time-consuming fuel collection limits educational opportunities and ties up resources that could otherwise be used for development.

Environmental and Climate Impacts

Beyond direct health effects, household air pollution contributes to outdoor air pollution and climate change. Incomplete combustion releases short-lived climate pollutants such as black carbon (soot) and methane, both of which significantly contribute to global warming.

What Does the WHO Recommend?

The WHO emphasizes that access to clean cooking and heating solutions is essential to improving health, protecting the environment, and supporting social development. Key measures include: