Fuel choice, indoor air pollution and children's health

Abstract

Much of the world population, particularly in developing countries, still relies on firewood to meet basic energy needs. The resulting indoor air pollution can have severe health consequences, particularly for young children who spend considerable time in close proximity to the fire while their mothers cook. In this paper we use data from a household survey to examine gas stove adoption, firewood consumption, and the resulting effects on the health of young children in Guatemala. Our findings suggest that cooking with firewood has significant negative impacts on children's respiratory health. We also find strong evidence that these impacts go well beyond respiratory problems and have much broader health effects. Simulation results indicate that policies which attempt to reduce the consumption of wood and/or accelerate the adoption of LPG may not be as effective at improving respiratory health as policies that target cooking habits to directly attempt to reduce exposure by young children. However, broader health effects are more effectively addressed by policies aimed directly at eliminating the use of wood fuel. AbstractMuch of the world population, particularly in developing countries, still relies on firewood to meet basic energy needs. The resulting indoor air pollution can have severe health consequences, particularly for young children who spend considerable time in close proximity to the fire while their mothers cook. In this paper we use data from a household survey to examine gas stove adoption, firewood consumption, and the resulting effects on the health of young children in Guatemala. Our findings suggest that cooking with firewood has significant negative impacts on children's respiratory health. We also find strong evidence that these impacts go well beyond respiratory problems and have much broader health effects. Simulation results indicate that policies which attempt to reduce the consumption of wood and/or accelerate the adoption of LPG may not be as effective at improving respiratory health as policies that target cooking habits to directly attempt to reduce exposure by young children. However, broader health effects are more effectively addressed by policies aimed directly at eliminating the use of wood fuel.

Household Air Pollution from Burning Biomass for Cooking and Heating – A Review of Health Hazards and Intervention Programs

“…The concentration of PM from biomass cooking ranges from 500 µg/m 3 to 1000 µg/m 3 with a peaks that can reach up to 30,000 µg/m 3 which is several times higher than the US EPA and WHO limits as shown in Table 1 [4]. [4] Averaging time Level US EPA limits PM2. 5 24 hours 35 µg/m 3 PM10 24 hours 150 µg/m 3 WHO limits PM2.…”

“…The primary reason for the emission of hazardous pollutants is the incomplete combustion of biomass used for cooking and heating [3]. The concentration of PM from biomass cooking ranges from 500 µg/m 3 to 1000 µg/m 3 with a peaks that can reach up to 30,000 µg/m 3 which is several times higher than the US EPA and WHO limits as shown in Table 1 [4]. [4] Averaging time Level US EPA limits PM2.…”

Demand for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement Interventions

“…Edwards and Langpap (2008) explain how the policy simulation approach can evaluate different IAP policy interventions and propose policies that can accelerate adoption of IAP abatement intervention. IAP interventions with maximum benefits to households are identified after carrying out simulation process.…”

The Economics of Household Air Pollution

“…Most evidence comes from observational studies , Dherani et al 2008, which raises the possibilities of confounding by omitted variables or selection on unobservables, each of which may bias estimates of impacts up or down (Mueller et al 2011). The negative impacts of PM 2.5 (PM less than 2.5 mg in diameter) and carbon monoxide on birth weight, child respiratory health [e.g., acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) and pneumonia in particular], and mortality are perhaps best documented (Smith et al 2000, Mishra et al 2004, Edwards & Langpap 2012, Gajate-Garrido 2013, whereas effects on long-term cognitive and physical development remain uncertain. With respect The number of people relying or projected to rely on solid fuels for cooking by major region and country.…”