Household air pollution takes centre-stage at WHO conference in Colombia

Cartagena (Colombia), Mar 28 (PTI) Household air pollution from biomass fuels is the lowest-hanging fruit for India's National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), and it is already included as a sectoral priority, said Kalpana Balakrishnan, Director of the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health.
     At the World Health Organisation’s second conference on air pollution and health in Cartagena, Colombia, household air pollution has taken centre stage. Balakrishnan, one of the keynote speakers at the event, said that India is admirably placed in terms of infrastructure to address this issue.
     “For a modest additional investment, we can achieve significant reductions in ambient PM2.5 levels, in addition to reducing residential PM2.5 exposures that the rural population experiences,” she said.
     Speaking to PTI, Balakrishnan further emphasised that India possesses all the necessary elements to tackle household air pollution and could do so in ways that are cost-effective and inclusive of all possible stakeholders.
     “We can demonstrate to the world that we can achieve what any other country can -- and do it even better,” she said.
     In January 2024, an independent think tank in India reported that 41 per cent of the Indian population still relies on wood, cow dung, or other biomass as cooking fuel. This practice cumulatively emits around 340 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the environment annually, accounting for approximately 13 per cent of India’s greenhouse gas emissions.
     Balakrishnan also highlighted that the burden of household pollution is twofold: exposure occurs indoors when cooking with solid fuels, and emissions are also released into the outdoor environment.
     She stressed that the transition to clean cooking energy is crucial to protect poor and marginalised communities who cannot afford the shift.
     “Solid cooking fuels are the primary contributors to ambient PM2.5. While we have technological solutions like LPG and electricity, we still need to find creative economic solutions to support the poor and marginalised sections of society,” she told PTI.
     People must recognise that air pollution causes nearly seven million deaths annually and is a major risk factor for both mortality and morbidity worldwide, said Maria Neira, Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO). She attributed these deaths to both outdoor and household air pollution.
     Speaking at a session at the Cartagena conference, Neira reiterated that over two billion people are exposed to household air pollution due to a lack of access to clean cooking energy.
     “Air pollution, mainly arising from inefficient energy use, is a major environmental health risk. By reducing air pollution levels, countries can lower the incidence of health issues such as stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, and asthma. A large number of people -- including doctors, scientists, and journalists -- still do not realise that air pollution causes almost seven million deaths every year,” the WHO Director said.
     Referring to China’s success in transitioning to clean energy to combat household air pollution, Balakrishnan pointed out that both India and China faced similar challenges around 20 years ago due to solid cooking fuels contributing to ambient PM2.5 levels.
     “For China, it was coal, and for India, it is biomass fuel. China aggressively phased out solid cooking fuels. It was a significant challenge for China, as coal was used not only for cooking but also for heating, leading to enormous PM2.5 contributions, particularly in winter,” Balakrishnan told PTI.
     She added that China identified the “lowest-hanging fruit and tackled it.”
     “The phasing out of residential coal was a key component of China’s Blue Sky Programme -- alongside interventions in power and transport,” she said.
     Meanwhile, a report presented to the Rajya Sabha by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests, and Climate Change revealed that a substantial Rs 858 crore allocated for pollution control in 2024-25 remains unutilised.
     This budget represents 27.44 per cent of the ministry’s revised annual allocation.
     Reacting to the report, Balakrishnan told PTI that continued investment in additional monitoring is essential for assessing the effectiveness of the NCAP’s actions.
     “Once the administrative roadblocks are resolved, this should be prioritised in budgetary spending,” she said.
     In India, household air pollution (HAP) is one of the leading risk factors contributing to the national burden of disease. Estimates indicate that 7.6 per cent of all deaths in children under 5 years old in the country can be attributed to HAP.
     Therefore, the transition to clean household cooking is not merely a technological upgrade but a vital public health intervention. Traditional cooking methods, which rely on solid fuels like wood and coal, are deeply ingrained in many households. However, these practices contribute significantly to indoor air pollution, posing severe health risks, particularly to women and children.
     Balakrishnan, a prominent figure in environmental health, has extensively researched the health impacts of household air pollution in India. Also serving as the dean of Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research in Chennai, she emphasises that exposure to emissions from solid fuels is a leading environmental risk factor for disease burdens in the country.
     Her work stresses the urgent need to mitigate these health risks through the adoption of clean cooking solutions.
     Complementing academic research are grassroots movements like Warrior Moms, a network of mothers across India advocating for clean air and sustainable environmental practices.
     Founded in 2020, this collective has been instrumental in raising awareness about the dangers of household air pollution (HAP) and championing the transition to clean cooking fuels.
     Recognising the health hazards children face from exposure to cooking smoke, Warrior Moms have initiated efforts to create safe play spaces, ensuring that children spend less time in areas where traditional cooking methods are used.
     This proactive approach not only reduces children’s exposure to harmful pollutants but also promotes their overall well-being.
     In urban slums, where space and resources are limited, Warrior Moms are facilitating community cooking projects. By establishing community kitchens equipped with cleaner cooking technologies, they are protecting families from daily exposure. These initiatives also instill a sense of community and shared responsibility while addressing the practical challenges of transitioning to clean cooking in densely populated areas.
     Policy initiatives have played a crucial role in promoting clean cooking. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), for instance, aims to provide LPG connections to women from below-poverty-line households, addressing both health and gender equity concerns. According to research by the International Forum for Environment, Sustainability & Technology (iFOREST), the use of biomass, such as fuelwood and dung cakes, for cooking and heating contributes approximately 48 per cent of India’s total PM2.5 emissions.
     Open burning of crop residues adds another 6.5 per cent, making biomass burning responsible for 55 per cent of total PM 2.5 emissions. The implementation of PMUY has been instrumental in reducing the share of biomass burning, highlighting the impact of targeted policy interventions.
     Despite these advancements, challenges persist. Affordability and accessibility of clean fuels remain significant barriers for many households.
     A survey conducted in the urban slums of Nagpur revealed that four out of ten households continue to use chulhas for cooking and heating, even though most have LPG connections. The primary reasons cited include the high cost of LPG refills and cultural preferences.
     Moreover, behavioral change is a complex process influenced by cultural practices and economic constraints. Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach, combining policy support, community engagement, and continuous research.
     The journey toward clean household cooking in India is a collaborative endeavour that intertwines scientific research, grassroots activism, and policy interventions. The contributions of experts like Balakrishnan and the dedicated efforts of organisations like Warrior Moms exemplify the collective commitment needed to foster healthier homes and communities.
     By prioritising clean cooking solutions and supporting community-driven initiatives, India takes a significant step toward improving public health and achieving environmental sustainability.
     The WHO is currently holding its second conference on air pollution and health after a five-year gap. The first conference took place in 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)