A new study published in the Lancet revealing that household air pollution, caused by the use of plant-based or coal fuel for cooking, heating and lighting, is putting nearly three billion people worldwide at risk of ill health and early death, has set alarm bells ringing for India, where it has been found that household air pollution is so high that it actually increases outdoor (ambient) air pollution. According to the study, in some parts of India pollution levels are more than three times higher than a typical London street, and well above WHO-recommended safety levels.

Following the study, the experts concluded that an estimated 600-800 million families worldwide are at increased risk of illnesses such as respiratory tract infections, pneumonia, COPD, asthma and lung cancer.

Experts in India say that the Lancet study should be an eye-opener for the Indian government. “The study gains significance for India where household pollution is very high. This is resulting in deaths and some intervention is badly needed at the higher level,” said a senior doctor.

Significantly, a third of the world’s population use plant-based solid fuels such as wood or charcoal, or coal, to cook, heat, and light their homes, primarily in Asia and Africa. These smoky, dirty fuels are often used in an open fire or simple stove, resulting in high levels of household air pollution in poorly ventilated homes.

The commission, led by Prof. Stephen Gordon, from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK, and Professor William Martin, from the Ohio State University, US, examined evidence for the effects of household air pollution on health. Estimates suggested that household air pollution killed 3.5 to 4 million people in 2010.