Target on Indoor Air Pollution Aim to Save Millions of Lives

New UN Targets on Indoor Air Pollution Aim to Save Millions of Lives Each Year

12 November 2014 The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) today highlighted the dangers of burning fuels like unprocessed coal and kerosene in the home, and issued targets for reducing emissions of health-damaging pollutants from domestic cook stoves, space heaters and fuel-based lamps.

According to WHO, nearly 3 billion people worldwide still lack access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking, heating and lighting.

And an estimated 4.3 million people worldwide die every year from indoor air pollution emitted by rudimentary biomass and coal cook stoves. They die from strokes, and heart and pulmonary diseases, such as childhood pneumonia and lung cancer. Women and children are particularly vulnerable.

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 guidelines include emissions targets for different kinds of domestic appliances.

The targets are the result of years of review of the health impacts of household air pollution emissions and careful examination of the levels by which emissions would have to be reduced in order to meet WHO guidelines for air quality.

If the new emission targets are met, then some 90% of homes globally will meet WHOs air quality standards, said Dr Neira.

Excerpt from:
Target on Indoor Air Pollution Aim to Save Millions of Lives