Household Fuel Use, Indoor Air Pollution and Vulnerability of Women to Its Exposure

Abstract

The burning of solid fuels indoors in an open fire or traditional cooking stoves (chulhas) causes indoor air pollution. Indoor air pollution resulting from these fuels is a potentially large health threat in India and is considered a major risk factor for respiratory disease, lung cancer as well as cardiovascular and other illnesses. This study reports the results of a primary survey of household fuel use and the vulnerability of women to its exposure among 85 households in Chennai city. The study found that though women are more vulnerable to indoor air pollution exposure than any other member in the family; there are differences in their vulnerability level. It is the poor and the lower income women who are most vulnerable to indoor air pollution. Not only do they live in sub-standard housing with poor environmental conditions, because of their economic backwardness they are not able to afford cleaner fuels and have to rely on solid fuels. Most of them reasoned that they did not have the financial means to use cleaner or higher grade fuels and that they have to endure the smoke emitted from cooking. And the study also found poor awareness and knowledge about indoor air pollution exposure from household fuel use. Most of the time they ignore their health issues and they do not readily attribute any illnesses to the type of fuels they burn or the stove they use. They generally bear the discomforts of indoor air pollution as a ‘fact of life'.