World Health Organization (WHO) warned against the dangers of household air pollutions on health in its latest "guidelines for indoor quality" study.
The new guidelines on household fuel combustion cautioned against burning unprocessed coal and kerosene at home. It also advised to reduce emissions of health-damaging pollutants from domestic cook stoves, space heaters and fuel-based lamps.
The guidelines stressed the need to improve access to cleaner home energy sources such as liquefied petroleum gas, biogas, natural gas and ethanol, or electricity, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Earlier this year, WHO findings revealed that an estimates of 3 billion people worldwide still lack access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking, heating and lighting. Millions of people die each year as a result of household air pollution; 34 percent are due to stroke, 26 percent to ischaemic heart disease, 22 percent to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 12 percent to childhood pneumonia and 6 percent to lung cancer.
These diseases are primarily caused by high levels of fine particulate matter and carbon monoxide released by the burning of solid fuels such as wood, coal, animal dung, crop waste and charcoal in inefficient stoves, space heaters, or lamps.
"Ensuring cleaner air in and around the home is fundamental to reducing the burden of disease from air pollution, especially in low- and middle-income countries," says Dr Maria Neira, WHO Director for Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health.
"The new WHO guidelines aim to help countries introduce cleaner technologies, improve air quality in poor households, reduce pollution-related diseases and save lives." The new guidelines recommend halting the use of unprocessed coal as a household fuel. Coal contains toxic elements such as arsenic, lead and mercury. The incomplete combustion of coal in inefficient stoves and space heaters can lead to severe illness and premature death.
The use of kerosene as a household fuel is also discouraged amid concerns around its adverse impact on air quality and safety. Kerosene is also associated with burns, fires and poisoning.
"Women and young children, who spend the most time near the domestic hearth, are particularly vulnerable," says Dr Flavia Bustreo, WHO Assistant Director General, Family, Women's and Children's Health cluster. "Globally, more than 50 percent of pneumonia deaths among children under 5 are linked to household air pollution." The new guidelines advise countries not to use unprocessed coal or kerosene as home energy sources, and to look for substitute fuels.
WHO regional and country offices will support governments, non-governmental organizations, private sector and development partners in implementation of these guidelines.