Abstract
In low-income communities, non-electric fuel sources are typically the main cause of Household Air Pollution (HAP). In Umlazi, a South African coastal, informal settlement, households use electric- and non-electric (coal, wood, gas, paraffin) energy sources for cooking and heating. The study aimed to determine whether respiratory ill health status varied by fuel type use. Using a questionnaire, respondents reported on a range of socio-demographic characteristics, dwelling type, energy use for cooking and heating as well as respiratory health symptoms. Multivariate Poisson regression was used to obtain the adjusted Odds Ratios (ORs) for the effects of electric and non-electric energy sources on prevalence of respiratory infections considering potential confounding factors. Among the 245 households that participated, Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI, n = 27) were prevalent in respondents who used non-electric sources compared to electric sources for heating and cooking. There were statistically significant effects of non-electric sources for heating (adjusted OR = 3.6, 95% CI (confidence interval): 1.2–10.1, p < 0.05) and cooking (adjusted OR = 2.9, 95% CI: 1.1–7.9, p < 0.05) on prevalence of URTIs. There was a statistically significant effect of electric sources for heating (adjusted OR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.1–6.4, p < 0.05) on prevalence of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (LRTIs) but no evidence for relations between non-electric sources for heating and LRTIs, and electric or non-electric fuel use type for cooking and LRTIs. Energy switching, mixing or stacking could be common in these households that likely made use of multiple energy sources during a typical month depending on access to and availability of electricity, funds to pay for the energy source as well as other socio-economic or cultural factors. The importance of behaviour and social determinants of health in relation to HAP is emphasized.
Highlights
Human respiratory health is adversely affected by the use of polluting fuels such as coal, wood and paraffin for cooking and indoor space heating [1]
The type of fuel used often determines the nature of the health outcomes, for example, biomass smoke exposure has been associated with an increased risk of chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and around 15% of those experiencing long-term exposure to wood smoke suffer from COPD [2,3]
Despite the small sample size, we found some differences in respiratory health status in a coastal, low-income community in KwaZulu-Natal according to type of fuel
Summary
Human respiratory health is adversely affected by the use of polluting fuels such as coal, wood and paraffin ( known as kerosene) for cooking and indoor space heating [1]. HAP has been associated with increased risk of suffering stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer [1,2]. The type of fuel used often determines the nature of the health outcomes, for example, biomass smoke exposure has been associated with an increased risk of chronic bronchitis and COPD, and around 15% of those experiencing long-term exposure to wood smoke suffer from COPD [2,3]. Though considered a cleaner fuel than coal or wood, exposure to fumes created by burning paraffin has been shown to impair lung function and increase asthma [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
