Mandi: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, in collaboration with Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité (INRS), France, and the National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL), India, have conducted a groundbreaking study on the detrimental effects of traditional cooking practices in rural kitchens across three Northeast Indian states.
This research has come out on the expected lines as the exposure to aerosols and resultant Pulmonary diseases manly among women caused by the burning of biomass for cooking in the mountain stares is well known health fact.
In rural areas of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya, where more than 50% of the population still relies on firewood and mixed biomass for cooking, researchers have found alarming levels of indoor air pollution. Despite advancements, traditional solid fuels release significant pollutants into the kitchen air, posing serious health risks to residents.
Led by Mr. Bijay Sharma and Dr. Sayantan Sarkar, the research team analyzed the indoor air pollution caused by these traditional cooking methods. They compared the emissions from firewood, mixed biomass, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and assessed their impact on respiratory health.
Their findings revealed alarming levels of harmful aerosols in kitchens using firewood and biomass, ranging from 2 to 19 times higher than in LPG-using kitchens. This increased exposure to pollutants led to a significantly higher disease burden among the population relying on traditional fuels, including respiratory diseases like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and various cancers.
The study also highlighted the potential for oxidative stress among biomass users, which can damage cells and DNA. Dr. Sayantan Sarkar emphasized the importance of the research, stating that it is the first of its kind to estimate the disease burdens caused by indoor cooking emissions in India and quantify the additional risk faced by biomass users.
The research underscores the urgent need for rural communities in Northeast India to transition to cleaner cooking methods. Recommendations include making LPG more accessible, improving cookstove programs, raising awareness in rural areas, and organizing health camps for rural women.
The findings of the study have been published in two journals, Science of the Total Environment and Environmental Pollution, shedding light on the pressing need for action to address indoor air pollution in rural India.
