Beyond the Outdoors: The Unseen Threat of Indoor Air Pollution

Why do we express widespread concern about air pollution? The primary reason is its profound impact on our health. Exposure to air pollution has direct consequences on our well-being. When we are exposed to pollutants in the air, our health invariably suffers, underscoring the critical role of minimizing exposure.

Consider the global impact of COVID-19, with a total death toll of approximately 7 million over three years. Remarkably, air pollution claims a similar number of lives, but this is an annual figure, as estimated in 2019. While achieving an immediate reduction in air pollution emissions may seem nearly impossible, there is a tangible opportunity to mitigate exposure, akin to our efforts in managing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Examining time use survey data from India reveals a noteworthy pattern – a majority of people spend 80-90% of their time indoors. In these indoor environments, a significant portion of the population relies on biomass as either a primary or secondary cooking fuel. This scenario is prevalent in many developing and underdeveloped nations. Through modeling, we observe that the concentration of indoor air pollution in households using biomass is considerably higher than outdoor air pollution levels. Additionally, numerous studies indicate that household biomass burning significantly contributes to outdoor air pollution, particularly in North India.

Addressing indoor air pollution emerges as a key strategy to reduce overall exposure levels, impacting both indoor and outdoor air quality. Notably, my analysis of the data reveals that the use of biomass is not always linked to income levels. Surprisingly, nearly 90% of rural households in India use biomass as a secondary fuel, even when they have access to cleaner alternatives like LPG and biogas.

This underscores the importance of raising awareness about air pollution, especially in rural areas of developing nations. By fostering awareness and promoting solutions for indoor air pollution, we can make substantial strides in improving public health and mitigating the broader impact of air pollution on our environment.

Ajay Nagpure