Indoor air pollution is caused by the release of harmful pollutants inside buildings and structures. The primary sources include:
- Fuel-burning combustion appliances like stoves and heaters
- Tobacco products
- Building materials and furnishings like asbestos-containing insulation, pressed wood products, and household cleaning products
- Outdoor sources like radon, pesticides, and outdoor air pollution that penetrate indoors
Indoor air pollution can lead to a variety of health issues, both immediate and long-term:
- Irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, headaches, dizziness, fatigue
- Aggravation of asthma and other respiratory diseases
- Increased risk of heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and lower respiratory infections
- Cognitive deficits and impaired productivity
Certain populations are disproportionately affected, including children, older adults, those with preexisting conditions, Native Americans, and low-income households. Globally, household air pollution from the use of solid fuels for cooking leads to an estimated 3.8 million premature deaths annually.Strategies to reduce indoor air pollution include transitioning to clean cooking fuels like electricity, LPG, or biogas, improving ventilation, and using low-emitting building materials. Addressing indoor air quality is crucial for improving health outcomes, especially in low- and middle-income countries where reliance on polluting fuels is highest.