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Ventilatory function in nonsmoking rural Indian women using different cooking fuels
D Behera1, S K Jindal, H S Malhotra
1Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Respiration; International Review of Thoracic Diseases
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Indoor air pollution from biomass fuels significantly impacts lung function, particularly forced vital capacity (FVC), in Indian women. Use of cleaner cooking fuels and improved housing may mitigate these adverse respiratory effects.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Respiratory Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Indoor air pollution (IAP) from domestic cooking is a significant health concern, especially in developing countries.
- Exposure to combustion products from various cooking fuels can affect respiratory health.
- Previous studies suggest a link between IAP and lung function impairment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between different domestic cooking fuels and lung function parameters in nonsmoking Indian women.
- To quantify the impact of biomass fuel use on lung function.
- To identify potential interventions for mitigating respiratory effects of IAP.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 3,318 nonsmoking Indian women.
- Measurement of lung function parameters: forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1st second (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR).
- Categorization of participants based on cooking fuel type: biomass, liquified petroleum gas (LPG), kerosene, and mixed fuels.
Main Results:
- Biomass fuel users exhibited significantly lower FVC values (<75% predicted) compared to users of other fuels.
- While FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, and PEFR were within normal limits across all groups, absolute values were lowest in biomass and mixed fuel users.
- A negative correlation was found between lung function parameters and duration of cooking/exposure index.
Conclusions:
- Domestic cooking, particularly with biomass fuels, adversely affects lung function, primarily FVC, in Indian women.
- The observed ventilatory impairment appears to be restrictive, suggesting parenchymal lung changes.
- Improved housing conditions and adoption of smokeless cooking technologies are recommended to reduce exposure and protect respiratory health.