E3 Journal of Environmental Research and Management Vol.3(1). pp. 001-008, January, 2012
A study of risk factors associated with indoor air pollution in the low income households in Aligarh city, India
Abha Lakshmi Singh and Saleha Jamal. Department of Geography, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, Uttar Pradesh (INDIA)
This paper seeks to investigate the risk factors associated with indoor air pollution in low income households. Cooking with traditional fuels leads to high levels of indoor air pollution, exposure of which increases the risk of various health problems. This study is based on primary sources of data collected with the help of questionnaire interviews from 533 low income households (earning Rs.5, 000 and less per month). Since women are responsible for cooking they were selected as respondents. This study investigates the major socio-economic factors including housing and cooking conditions, identification of risk factors and occurrence of associated diseases.
The results show that most of the low income households were using traditional fuels and stoves, cooking in multipurpose room and veranda, in poorly ventilated cooking places and taking long hours for cooking. Thus, they were exposed to all the associated risk factors of indoor air pollution. They reported of the occurrence of associated diseases, like acute upper and lower respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, perinatal mortality, pulmonary tuberculosis, low birth weight, eye irritation and cataract etc. The study points to the need of creating awareness amongst the low income households.
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Breathing quality indoor air is critical for good health. Most Americans spend a significant amount of time indoors–either in the home, office or other types of buildings–where gas, chemical and other pollutants can cause headaches, eye irritation, allergies and fatigue. Serious pollutants can cause certain types of cancers and other long-term health complications.
Indoor air quality is a critical public health issue that continues to be addressed at the local, state and federal levels.
Common indoor air pollutants include:
Radon: A dangerous gas pollutant identified as the second leading cause of lung cancer, Radon enters homes through cracks and other improperly sealed openings.
Combustion Pollutants including carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide: These gases come from burning materials or improperly vented fuel-burning appliances such as space heaters, wood stoves, gas stoves, water heaters, dryers and fireplaces.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas which is not easily detectable by human senses, and interferes with oxygen delivery throughout the body. Carbon monoxide causes headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea; and toxic amounts can lead to death.
Nitrogen dioxide, which is also a colorless and odorless gas causes eye, nose and throat irritation, shortness of breath, and increased risk for respiratory infections.
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