Indoor air pollution and women's health

By Dr. Sylvia Baluka

Indoor air pollution is one of the most important environmental hazards of all time to humans. The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 50% of the world population depends on solid fuel such as wood for cooking and heating which increases the number that is exposed to indoor air pollution.

Smoke from solid fuels contains several pollutants including cancer causing agents. Increasing Tuberculosis (TB) cases have been linked to indoor air pollution and environmental tobacco smoke.

Globally, several premature deaths occur annually due to illnesses associated with indoor air pollution. Indoor air pollution in developing countries is thought to increase the risk of important child and adult health problems including asthma, ear problems and other respiratory infections. WHO estimates that 50% of pneumonia deaths among children below five years of age are a result of indoor air pollution.

The smoke inside kitchens can lead to eye and respiratory related problems and infections. Over the long term, smoke is associated with heart diseases, chronic lung diseases and cancer.  Women and children are the most vulnerable to the effects of indoor air pollution.

It is estimated that indoor air pollution from the use of solid fuels is responsible for 1.6million deaths annually from pneumonia, chronic respiratory diseases and lung cancer.

The greatest burden of diseases associated with indoor air pollution from the use of sold fuels falls upon the developing countries, particularly upon women who do most of the cooking and are therefore more exposed to the health risks from indoor air pollution. About 57% of all the deaths attributable to indoor air pollution are among women. Young children who are often strapped on the mothers’ backs during cooking are equally exposed to indoor air pollution. The children who are often carried on the mothers’ backs during cooking are equally exposed to indoor air pollution from a very early age and many deaths attributable to indoor air pollution occur among children below five years.

Cooking and heating with solid fuels such as wood on open fires or traditional stoves result in high levels of indoor air pollution which is further compounded by poorly ventilated housing.

According to WHO, indoor air pollution is responsible for approximately two million deaths mostly of women and children in developing countries. Women are exposed to very high levels of indoor air pollution for three-seven hours per day for many years of their life span. The highest death toll due to indoor air pollution occurs in Africa and South East Asia.  More than 50% of the total disability adjusted life years (DALYS) due to exposure to indoor air pollution occurs in Africa. Hence the need for African governments to initiate appropriate and timely interventions.

Addressing indoor air pollution will facilitate developing countries to achieve MDGs related to gender equality (MDG 3), environmental sustainability (MDG 7), and child and maternal health (MDGs 4 and 5).  

Use of innovative cooking stoves that use biofuels that are more fuel efficient and ventilate to the outside the house are believed to minimise indoor air pollution levels and promote better health for the women, children and the general public.

The writer is a lecturer at Makerere University, Kampala.