Use of biomass fuel is associated with infant mortality and child health in trend analysis
Rinne, S.T.; Rodas, E.J.; Rinne, M.L.; Simpson, J.M.; Glickman, L.T.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 76(3): 585-591
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9637 PMID: 17360888 Document Number: 610578
Biomass fuel used for cooking results in widespread exposure to indoor air pollution (IAP), affecting nearly 3 billion people throughout the world. Few studies, however, have tested for an exposure-response relationship between biomass fuel and health outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between biomass fuel, infant mortality, and children's respiratory symptoms. Eighty households in a rural community in Ecuador were selected based on their use of biomass fuel and questioned regarding a history of infant mortality and children's respiratory symptoms. Carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM) were measured in a subset of these homes to confirm the relationship between biomass fuel use and IAP. Results showed a significant trend for higher infant mortality among households that cooked with a greater proportion of biomass fuel (P = 0.008). Similar trends were noted for history of cough (P = 0.02) and earache (P < 0.001) among children living in these households.