Recorded presentation

Vinod K. Mishra, PhD, MPH, Population and Health Studies, East-West Center, 1601 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96848, 808-944-7452, mishra@hawaii.edu

Household use of unprocessed solid fuels (wood, dung, crop residues/grasses, and coal) for cooking and heating exposes large proportions of people in developing countries to high levels of toxic air pollutants indoors. Poor women and young children in remote, rural areas tend to have highest exposure levels. Indoor smoke contains some of the same pollutants found in tobacco smoke and in ambient air, which have been linked with serious health consequences. There is growing evidence that exposure to indoor smoke can cause serious respiratory and other adverse health effects, but the quantity and quality of scientific literature vary considerably by type of health outcome. There is compelling evidence linking indoor smoke to acute respiratory infections in children and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or chronic bronchitis in women. But, the evidence linking indoor smoke to asthma, tuberculosis, lung cancer, and adverse pregnancy outcomes is limited and sometimes conflicting; and evidence linking indoor smoke to anemia, otitis media, lung fibrosis, cataract and blindness, and cardiovascular disease is weak or nonexistent. Many of the studies use indirect measures of smoke exposure and reported measures of health outcomes, do not adequately account for confounding and interactions, and few address gender aspects of smoke exposure and its health effects. This paper reviews current understanding of health effects of indoor air pollution from cooking and heating, summarizes results from selected studies using large national survey data from India and Zimbabwe, and identifies research gaps and strategies for reducing exposure levels.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will be able to

(
• Recognize that in developing countries household combustion of unprocessed solid fuels for cooking and heating exposes many women and young children to very high levels of health-damaging air pollutants in their homes; (
• Recognize that indoor air pollution from cooking and heating is a risk factor for tuberculosis, asthma, acute respiratory infection, lung cancer, anemia, and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including perinatal mortality and reduced birth weight.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation