scholarly journals Long-term solid fuel use and risks of major eye diseases in China: A population-based cohort study of 486,532 adults

PLoS Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. e1003716
Author(s):  
Ka Hung Chan ◽  
Mingshu Yan ◽  
Derrick A. Bennett ◽  
Yu Guo ◽  
Yiping Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solid Fuel ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
Eye Diseases ◽  
Recall Period ◽  
Disease Assessment ◽  
Solid Fuels ◽  
Fuel Use ◽  
Clean Fuel ◽  
Clean Fuels

Background Over 3.5 billion individuals worldwide are exposed to household air pollution from solid fuel use. There is limited evidence from cohort studies on associations of solid fuel use with risks of major eye diseases, which cause substantial disease and economic burden globally. Methods and findings The China Kadoorie Biobank recruited 512,715 adults aged 30 to 79 years from 10 areas across China during 2004 to 2008. Cooking frequency and primary fuel types in the 3 most recent residences were assessed by a questionnaire. During median (IQR) 10.1 (9.2 to 11.1) years of follow-up, electronic linkages to national health insurance databases identified 4,877 incident conjunctiva disorders, 13,408 cataracts, 1,583 disorders of sclera, cornea, iris, and ciliary body (DSCIC), and 1,534 cases of glaucoma. Logistic regression yielded odds ratios (ORs) for each disease associated with long-term use of solid fuels (i.e., coal or wood) compared to clean fuels (i.e., gas or electricity) for cooking, with adjustment for age at baseline, birth cohort, sex, study area, education, occupation, alcohol intake, smoking, environmental tobacco smoke, cookstove ventilation, heating fuel exposure, body mass index, prevalent diabetes, self-reported general health, and length of recall period. After excluding participants with missing or unreliable exposure data, 486,532 participants (mean baseline age 52.0 [SD 10.7] years; 59.1% women) were analysed. Overall, 71% of participants cooked regularly throughout the recall period, of whom 48% used solid fuels consistently. Compared with clean fuel users, solid fuel users had adjusted ORs of 1.32 (1.07 to 1.37, p < 0.001) for conjunctiva disorders, 1.17 (1.08 to 1.26, p < 0.001) for cataracts, 1.35 (1.10 to 1.66, p = 0.0046) for DSCIC, and 0.95 (0.76 to 1.18, p = 0.62) for glaucoma. Switching from solid to clean fuels was associated with smaller elevated risks (over long-term clean fuel users) than nonswitching, with adjusted ORs of 1.21 (1.07 to 1.37, p < 0.001), 1.05 (0.98 to 1.12, p = 0.17), and 1.21 (0.97 to 1.50, p = 0.088) for conjunctiva disorders, cataracts, and DSCIC, respectively. The adjusted ORs for the eye diseases were broadly similar in solid fuel users regardless of ventilation status. The main limitations of this study include the lack of baseline eye disease assessment, the use of self-reported cooking frequency and fuel types for exposure assessment, the risk of bias from delayed diagnosis (particularly for cataracts), and potential residual confounding from unmeasured factors (e.g., sunlight exposure). Conclusions Among Chinese adults, long-term solid fuel use for cooking was associated with higher risks of not only conjunctiva disorders but also cataracts and other more severe eye diseases. Switching to clean fuels appeared to mitigate the risks, underscoring the global health importance of promoting universal access to clean fuels.

scholarly journals Solid fuels for cooking and tobacco use and risk of major chronic liver disease mortality: a prospective cohort study of 0.5 million Chinese adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ka Hung Chan ◽  
Derrick A Bennett ◽  
Om P Kurmi ◽  
Ling Yang ◽  
Yiping Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Disease ◽  
Chronic Liver Disease ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Solid Fuel ◽  
Chronic Liver ◽  
Solid Fuels ◽  
Chinese Adults ◽  
Fuel Use ◽  
Clean Fuel

Abstract Background Harmful substances in solid fuel and tobacco smoke are believed to enter the bloodstream via inhalation and to be metabolized in the liver, leading to chronic liver damage. However, little is known about the independent and joint effects of solid fuel use and smoking on risks of chronic liver disease (CLD) mortality. Methods During 2004–08, ∼0.5 million adults aged 30–79 years were recruited from 10 areas across China. During a 10-year median follow-up, 2461 CLD deaths were recorded. Multivariable Cox regression yielded adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the individual associations of self-reported long-term cooking fuel and tobacco use with major CLD death. Results Overall, 49% reported solid fuel use and 26% smoked regularly. Long-term solid fuel use for cooking and current smoking were associated with higher risks of CLD deaths, with adjusted HRs of 1.26 (95% CI, 1.02–1.56) and 1.28 (1.13–1.44), respectively. Compared with never-smoking clean fuel users, the HRs were 1.41 (1.10–1.82) in never-smoking solid fuel users, 1.55 (1.17–2.06) in regular-smoking clean fuel users and 1.71 (1.32–2.20) in regular-smoking solid fuels users. Individuals who had switched from solid to clean fuels (1.07, 0.90–1.29; for median 14 years) and ex-regular smokers who stopped for non-medical reasons (1.16, 0.95–1.43; for median 10 years) had no evidence of excess risk of CLD deaths compared with clean fuel users and never-regular smokers, respectively. Conclusions Among Chinese adults, long-term solid fuel use for cooking and smoking were each independently associated with higher risks of CLD deaths. Individuals who had stopped using solid fuels or smoking had lower risks.

scholarly journals Where there is smoke: Solid fuel externalities, gender, and adult respiratory health in India

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aashish Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Solid Fuel ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Solid Fuels ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Adult Health ◽  
Fuel Use ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
High Exposure ◽  
Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Clean Fuels

Chronic respiratory conditions are a leading cause of death in the world. Using data on lung obstruction from the WHO Survey of Global AGEing and Adult Health (WHO-SAGE 2007-08), this paper studies the determinants of respiratory health in India, home to a third of all deaths from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. First, we find that smokers and members of households that use solid fuels (wood, biomass, coal or dung) for cooking have higher lung obstruction. Second, even if a respondent's household uses clean fuels, their lung obstruction is higher if their neighbors use solid fuels. In neighborhoods with high solid fuel use, the lungs of members of households that use clean fuels can be as obstructed as lungs of members of households that use solid fuels. These negative externalities of solid fuel use are robust to additional controls for neighborhood socioeconomic status, falsification tests, tests with placebo measures, and tests using alternative measures of respiratory health as outcomes. Third, the influence of the determinants is patterned by gender. Smoking tobacco is an important influence on lung obstruction among men. Confirming non-linear dose-response relationships, we find that women from households that use solid fuels are the only group not further harmed by neighborhood solid fuel smoke, possibly because of high exposure to pollutants while cooking. The study improves our understanding of behavioral, social, and environmental determinants of respiratory health in India. Importantly, it makes a case for greater public investments to promote the adoption and use of cleaner fuels.

scholarly journals Solid fuel use in electrified low-income residential areas in South Africa: The case of KwaDela, Mpumalanga

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-67
Author(s):  
N.C. Nkosi ◽  
R.P. Burger ◽  
N.R. Matandirotya ◽  
C. Pauw ◽  
S.J. Piketh
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Solid Fuel ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Ambient Air Pollution ◽  
Space Heating ◽  
Solid Fuels ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Fuel Use ◽  
Solid Fuel Combustion

Domestic solid fuel combustion remains a key contributor to indoor and ambient air pollution in low-income settlements. Understanding solid-fuel cost perceptions and burning patterns variability is required for developing sustainable energy policies and applicable site-specific intervention strategies to effectively improve ambient air quality. The purpose of the study was to understand domestic solid fuel use dynamics and trends in KwaDela, a low-income residential area in Mpumalanga. Data were gathered using surveys, questionnaires, observations, and temperature sensors. Findings were that there are two main local sources of wood and coal within the settlement and each household was estimated to consume 1 800 to 2 992.5 kg of coal annually. The maximum amount of coal used per burning event was 9.3 kg, with an average of 4 kg and a standard deviation of ±2.5 kg. Coal and wood purchase price varied depending on their sources, but were cheaper than electricity. In winter, the burning events are longer (four to six hours) than in summer and more (one to three) per day, and start earlier (from 03:00 and 15:30) mainly due to space-heating needs. Cooking, space-heating and boiling water are the major household needs that drive the use of solid fuels in electrified low-income residential areas. The key to improving air quality in such areas is integrating fuel use intervention methods that the residents can afford and are readily accessible. Highlights Burning events are longer in winter than summer. Solid fuels are affordable, available, and easily accessible. Electricity remains sparsely used for domestic purposes.

scholarly journals Solid-Fuel Use Puts Human Health at Risk

Eos ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Witman
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Solid Fuel ◽  
Solid Fuels ◽  
Fuel Use ◽  
Full Extent ◽  
Data Gaps

Data gaps obscure the full extent of deaths caused by heating homes with wood and other solid fuels.

scholarly journals Types of Stove in Use and Respiratory and Eye Health of Nepal Rural Housewives: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Changwoo Han ◽  
Seshananda Sanjel ◽  
Prabin Shakya ◽  
Woo-Seok Lee ◽  
Woo-Sung Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Benefits ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Disease Assessment ◽  
Solid Fuels ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Clean Fuel ◽  
Eye Health ◽  
Eye Symptoms ◽  
Rural Nepal

Abstract BackgroundsHealth benefits of energy transition from solid fuels to cleaner fuels can be evaluated in field study of developing countries. Even a simple cross-sectional studies may be useful for estimation of the health benefits. This study was conducted in rural Nepal with the hypothesis that the gas stove and clean fuel users may have better respiratory and eye health compared to traditional stove and solid fuel users due to the low household air pollution levels.MethodsFrom July to August 2018, we recruited 90 housewives who resided in a rural Nepal village (Nuwakot District, Likhu Municipality). We conducted a questionnaire survey, physical examination, blood test, and 24-hour monitoring of particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) levels in kitchen. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association of types of stove used in kitchens with respiratory and eye symptoms in housewives.ResultsOf 90 participants, 42 and 43 used traditional and gas stove as their primary stove, respectively. Over 28% and 75% of participants experienced mild to moderate airway obstruction and watery eye symptoms during cooking. The odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of chronic cough [0.30 (0.05, 1.86)], wheezing [0.30 (0.06, 1.49)], phlegm [0.36 (0.08, 1.53)], shortness of breath [0.81 (0.31, 2.09)], high chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test scores [0.36 (0.10, 1.30)], and watery eye symptoms during cooking [0.14 (0.04, 0.51)] were lower in gas stove users compared to the traditional stove users. The average 24-hour kitchen PM2.5 concentrations were lower in gas stove user houses (11 μg/m3) than in traditional stove user houses (33 μg/m3).ConclusionsGas stove and clean fuel use may be beneficial for reducing eye discomfort during cooking. Further longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to conclude whether the transition from solid fuels to cleaner fuels will be beneficial for the respiratory and eye health of Nepalese housewives.

scholarly journals Association of household solid fuel use and long-term exposure to PM2.5 with arthritis in middle-aged and older population in China: A cohort study

2022 ◽  
Vol 230 ◽  
pp. 113104
Author(s):  
Yu-Hong Liu ◽  
Ya-Ke Lu ◽  
Xiang-Tong Liu ◽  
Yan-Ling Li ◽  
Li-Kun Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Solid Fuel ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Fuel Use ◽  
Older Population

scholarly journals Persistence of solid fuel use despite increases in LPG ownership: New survey evidence from rural north India

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aashish Gupta ◽  
Sangita Vyas ◽  
Payal Hathi ◽  
Nazar Khalid ◽  
Nikhil Srivastav ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Solid Fuel ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Uttar Pradesh ◽  
North India ◽  
Solid Fuels ◽  
Fuel Use ◽  
Cooking Fuels ◽  
Almost All

Solid fuel use is an important contributor to air pollution and disease burden in India. We present survey evidence documenting LPG ownership and cooking fuel use in rural north India. LPG ownership has increased rapidly, substantially driven by the Ujjwala Yojana. Three-quarters of rural households in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh now have LPG. Almost all of these households also have a stove that uses solid fuels, and among those owning both, almost three-quarters used solid fuels the day before the survey. Household economic status, relative costs of cooking fuels, gender inequality, and beliefs regarding the ease, food taste, and health impacts of cooking with solid fuels versus LPG are important contributors to high solid fuel use despite LPG ownership. Households that continue to use solid fuels continue to expose themselves and their neighbours to harmful air pollution. To realize the full health benefits of Ujjwala’s expansion in LPG ownership, attention must now be turned towards discouraging the use of solid fuels and promoting exclusive use of LPG. This is an urgent priority for research, policy, and action.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document