Combating indoor air pollution

Children and elderly people are bearing the brunt of indoor air pollution

Indoor air pollution caused by the use of unhygienic fuels in kitchens without proper ventilation has been billed as one of the prime reasons for high prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in rural Bangladesh, according to a report of this newspaper on Sunday. About 80 per cent households in rural areas of our country have to depend on traditional wood-fired cooking and kerosene stoves.  On the other hand,  smoking is pervasive despite a strong national campaign to stop or cut this harmful habit.

Some housewives and others in rural areas use LNG (Liquefied natural gas) for cooking but its price is beyond the financial ability of most families. In these days of high prices of essentials, after meeting the cost of food, health care and education of children  how many can afford the luxury of sparing  money for buying LNG?  

Rural women usually cook indoor using an open-fire traditional cooking stove at a small kitchen with biomass fuel, like wood, cow dung and charcoal, without or insufficient ventilation that expose them hugely to COPD. Though smoking is the most common cause of COPD all over the world, air pollution is playing a similar role in Bangladesh in terms of COPD. Physicians suggest using kerosene stoves for cooking at a properly ventilated kitchen to avoid suffering from COPD. But how many women follow this.

Experts have come up with repeated warnings to take measures to improve quality of air of the cities and towns to escape health hazards arising out of air pollution, but unfortunately, nothing tangible has been done to address this formidable problem. Children and elderly people are bearing the brunt of the situation. They are suffering from various respiratory tract related ailments after breathing the polluted air. The people belonging to the low income group are the worst sufferers.

It is high time for reducing indoor pollution as it concerns people's life, especially of the children who should be kept free from ailments including those caused by smoke and pollution in the air.  There is no dearth of warnings by relevant authorities and health experts against the harmful effect which may lead to deaths and also provide some help to deal with pollution effects. But more such warnings are needed for millions of rural people. With remittances coming from expatriate workers and the spread of education many families in rural areas can reduce the level of pollution in their homes to a tolerable level.  There is no alternative to getting rid of in-house pollution in the interest of public health.

Combating indoor air pollution

Children and elderly people are bearing the brunt of indoor air pollution

Indoor air pollution caused by the use of unhygienic fuels in kitchens without proper ventilation has been billed as one of the prime reasons for high prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in rural Bangladesh, according to a report of this newspaper on Sunday. About 80 per cent households in rural areas of our country have to depend on traditional wood-fired cooking and kerosene stoves. On the other hand, smoking is pervasive despite a strong national campaign to stop or cut this harmful habit. Some housewives and others in rural areas use LNG (Liquefied natural gas) for cooking but its price is beyond the financial ability of most families. In these days of high prices of essentials, after meeting the cost of food, health care and education of children how many can afford the luxury of sparing money for buying LNG? Rural women usually cook indoor using an open-fire traditional cooking stove at a small kitchen with biomass fuel, like wood, cow dung and charcoal, without or insufficient ventilation that expose them hugely to COPD. Though smoking is the most common cause of COPD all over the world, air pollution is playing a similar role in Bangladesh in terms of COPD. Physicians suggest using kerosene stoves for cooking at a properly ventilated kitchen to avoid suffering from COPD. But how many women follow this. Experts have come up with repeated warnings to take measures to improve quality of air of the cities and towns to escape health hazards arising out of air pollution, but unfortunately, nothing tangible has been done to address this formidable problem. Children and elderly people are bearing the brunt of the situation. They are suffering from various respiratory tract related ailments after breathing the polluted air. The people belonging to the low income group are the worst sufferers. It is high time for reducing indoor pollution as it concerns peoples life, especially of the children who should be kept free from ailments including those caused by smoke and pollution in the air. There is no dearth of warnings by relevant authorities and health experts against the harmful effect which may lead to deaths and also provide some help to deal with pollution effects. But more such warnings are needed for millions of rural people. With remittances coming from expatriate workers and the spread of education many families in rural areas can reduce the level of pollution in their homes to a tolerable level. There is no alternative to getting rid of in-house pollution in the interest of public health.