Is Household Air Pollution a Risk Factor for Eye Disease?

In developing countries, household air pollution (HAP) resulting from the inefficient burning of coal and biomass (wood, charcoal, animal dung and crop residues) for cooking and heating has been linked to a number of negative health outcomes, mostly notably respiratory diseases and cancers. While ocular irritation has been associated with HAP, there are sparse data on adverse ocular outcomes that may result from acute and chronic exposures. We consider that there is suggestive evidence, and biological plausibility, to hypothesize that HAP is associated with some of the major blinding, and painful, eye conditions seen worldwide. Further research on this environmental risk factor for eye diseases is warranted

Household air pollution in low- and middle-income countries: health risks and research priorities

Household air pollution (HAP), which results from incomplete combustion of the solid fuels traditionally used for cooking and heating, affects the homes of nearly 3 billion people. It is the leading environmental cause of death and disability worldwide, with highest risks for women and children due to their domestic roles. The high levels of pollutants found in HAP cause a range of diseases, in addition to burns and scalds and injuries or violence experienced during fuel collection. Additionally, household solid fuel use can pose substantive environmental risks, including degradation from fuel gathering as well as climate change from release of both CO2 and short-lived climate forcers, such as black carbon, during combustion. Despite the broad support to find solutions, only a few solid fuel interventions have shown that they might improve health over the long term, especially when implemented at the scale required (Box 1)

Is household air pollution a risk factor for eye disease?

In developing countries, household air pollution (HAP) resulting from the inefficient burning of coal and biomass (wood, charcoal, animal dung and crop residues) for cooking and heating has been linked to a number of negative health outcomes, mostly notably respiratory diseases and cancers. While ocular irritation has been associated with HAP, there are sparse data on adverse ocular outcomes that may result from acute and chronic exposures. We consider that there is suggestive evidence, and biological plausibility, to hypothesize that HAP is associated with some of the major blinding, and painful, eye conditions seen worldwide. Further research on this environmental risk factor for eye diseases is warranted

Household Air Pollution in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Health Risks and Research Priorities

<p>Household Air Pollution in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Health Risks and Research Priorities</p

Approaches and key study designs required to address research and evaluation priorities.

<p>CVD, cardiovascular disease; IHD, ischemic heart disease; TB, tuberculosis;</p

HAP in urban and rural settings with examples of other confounding sources of pollutants.

<p>Multiple factors influencing household air pollution and personal exposure levels need to be considered for effective measurement of exposure in health research and evaluation studies, which will differ in urban vs. rural settings and may vary based on cultural practices, geography, and elevation. Each site of HAP must be carefully assessed for other potential sources of products of incomplete combustion that may confound household or personal monitoring of exposure.</p

Summary of major gaps and research needs for cross-cutting issues.

<p>Summary of major gaps and research needs for cross-cutting issues.</p