Vinod Mishra, PhD, MPH¹, Kirk R. Smith, PhD, MPH², and Robert D. Retherford, PhD¹. (1) Population and Health Studies, East-West Center, 1601 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96848, 808-944-7452, mishra@hawaii.edu, (2) School of Public Health, Environmental Health Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, 140 Warren Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720

Reliance on unprocessed biomass fuels, such as wood, animal dung, and crop residues, for cooking and heating exposes many women and young children in developing countries to high levels of air pollution indoors. This study investigates the effect of cooking smoke, ascertained by type of fuel used for cooking (biomass fuel, cleaner fuels, and a mix of cleaner and biomass fuels) on acute respiratory infections (ARI) in young children in India. Analysis is based on 29,768 children age 0–35 months included in the 1998-99 National Family Health Survey (NFHS-2). Children who suffered from cough accompanied by short, rapid breathing during the two weeks preceding the survey are defined as having suffered from ARI. Logistic regression is used to estimate the effect of cooking smoke on ARI, controlling for environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), availability of separate kitchen, household crowding, child’s nutritional status, and other potentially confounding demographic and socioeconomic factors. Results indicate that children in households using wood, dung, or crop residues are significantly more likely to have suffered from ARI than those from households using LPG, biogas, or electricity (OR=1.61; 95% CI: 1.31, 1.97). Similar effects are observed for girls (OR=1.69; 95% CI: 1.27, 2.41) and boys (OR=1.58; 95% CI: 1.20, 2.08). The effect of ETS on ARI is also positive and significant, but smaller (OR=1.14; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.25). No modifying effects of cooking smoke and ETS are observed. Findings support previous research, but suggest smaller effects of cooking smoke and ETS than previously noted.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize that in developing countries household combustion of unprocessed biomass fuels for cooking and heating exposes many women and young children to high levels of health-damaging air pollutants in their homes.
• Recognize that indoor air pollution from cooking with biomass fuels is a risk factor for acute respiratory illness in young children.

Keywords: Air Pollutants, Child Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: East-West Center, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment, grant