Indoor air pollution and child health in India, 2013. UNICEF
In India indoor air pollution is among the most serious threats to the health of children under five years. TERI has actively highlighted the risks associated with indoor air pollution and advocated the adoption of cleaner and sustainable alternatives. Nearly 82% of pregnant women in rural India are exposed to biomass-related indoor air pollution, which increases the risk of low birth weight.
India derives the bulk of its cooking energy needs from biomass solid fuels, such as twigs, wood, shrubs, crop residue or cow dung and utilize crude combustion apparatus cook stoves. The burning of biomass fuels releases various indoor air pollutants, like particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. According to the 2001 national census, 82.5% of rural Indian households used biomass as cooking fuel, and the National Family Health Survey in 2005-6 provided similar rates.
