Deadly indoor air pollution in India kills infants: A recent study from Cornell University has highlighted a severe issue affecting young children in India: the use of dirty cooking fuels. According to the research, 27 out of every 1,000 babies and children in India die because of exposure to these harmful fuels. This is particularly alarming in a country already known for having some of the worst air pollution in the world.
India’s Air Pollution Crisis
India dominates the list of the top 100 cities with the worst air pollution, with 83 of them located within its borders. This information comes from the sixth annual World Air Quality Report, released in 2023. Shockingly, all these cities have pollution levels that are ten times higher than what the World Health Organization (WHO) deems safe.
While much attention is given to outdoor air pollution, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other organizations point out that poor indoor air quality can be even deadlier. Most people spend the majority of their time indoors, where the concentration of pollutants can be higher and more harmful.
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The Study’s Findings
The study, titled “Cooking Fuel Choice and Child Mortality in India,” was published on April 26 in the Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization. It is the first research to provide a robust causal estimate of the impact of using biomass fuels on child mortality. The lead author, Arnab Basu, a professor at the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, emphasized the significance of the findings.
“This study uses nationally representative data from over 25 years, allowing us to identify all types of polluting fuels used by households,” Basu explained. The comprehensive dataset included information from the Demographic and Health Survey spanning from 1992 to 2016.
High Mortality Rates in Infants
The researchers found that the use of dirty cooking fuels has the most significant impact on infants under a month old. At this age, infants’ lungs are not fully developed, and they are often in close proximity to their mothers, who typically do the cooking. The study revealed that young girls in Indian households are more affected than boys. This disparity is not due to biological differences but rather cultural preferences for sons. Families are less likely to seek medical treatment for daughters when they fall ill from respiratory issues caused by pollution.
Basu noted, “A switch to cleaner fuels would not only improve overall childhood health but also address the neglect of daughters.”
Global Impact of Dirty Cooking Fuels
According to the WHO, about one-third of the world’s population cooks over an open fire or uses stoves fueled by biomass, which includes wood, animal dung, and crop waste. This practice contributes to an estimated 3.2 million deaths annually worldwide.
India, in particular, is severely impacted by this issue. Basu suggested several reasons for this: Indian households are often large, with one member, usually female, responsible for cooking all meals. Indian cuisine also tends to be labour-intensive, involving slow-cooking methods and extensive preparation. These factors result in prolonged exposure to harmful kitchen pollutants for both the mother and her young children.
Types of Polluting Fuels
The study analyzed data on ten different types of fuels used by Indian households, ranging from kerosene to various biomass fuels. Burning firewood was found to be the most harmful, followed by crop and animal waste.
Challenges in Mandating Change
Addressing this issue is challenging. While governments can make laws to reduce outdoor pollution, such as banning the burning of crop waste, indoor pollution requires a different approach. Basu emphasized the need to focus on indoor air quality, considering factors like regional agricultural practices, household characteristics, and family structure.
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One practical solution is to have separate outdoor rooms for cooking, which can significantly reduce indoor pollution. Additionally, promoting the use of cleaner fuels, such as pelletized pine needles, could be beneficial. However, alternatives like electricity are often too expensive, and more than liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) may be needed for larger households that prefer traditional cooking methods.
The Way Forward
Despite the challenges, the key takeaway from the study is clear: switching to cleaner cooking fuels could save thousands of young lives in India. Implementing and promoting the use of alternative fuels is a significant task, but it is crucial for improving public health.
The findings of this study underscore the importance of addressing indoor air pollution and highlight the urgent need for cleaner cooking solutions in India. By doing so, not only can the health of children be improved, but the longstanding cultural biases that contribute to higher mortality rates among young girls can also be challenged. The road ahead is difficult, but the potential benefits make it a journey worth undertaking. Catch up on the most exciting happenings around the globe at Education Post News.
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