Exposure to household air pollution (HAP) from cooking with solid fuels and kerosene over open fires and inefficient stoves contributes up to 4 million deaths per year, mostly in low and middle income countries.
Over 60% of these deaths occur in just two regions: sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. This is partially because the proportion of the population cooking with solid fuels is higher in South Asia (60%) and sub-Saharan Africa (85%) compared to other regions of the world
This exposure may occur inadvertently, but can lead to harmful health consequences, like the ones listed below:
- Sore eyes and inflammation
- Respiratory conditions: Stuffy nose, sore throat, chest pain, shortness of breath, couching
- Cardiovascular conditions: Arrhythmia, Sudden Cardiac Arrest, Heart Attack, Ischemic heart disease
- Lung conditions: Lung disease, cancer , Bronchitis, Emphysema
- Skin conditions: Rashes, Dermatitis, Urticaria
- Neonatal conditions : Low birth weight, preterm birth, impaired lung function, phneumonia
The impact of open fires and inefficient stoves is also impactful outside of the households, as toxic pollutants and climate warming gases escape from the home and contribute to poor outdoor air quality and climate change.
Source: Clean Cooking Alliance
At CO2Balance, our improved cookstove projects allow for users to improve their health, reduce the risk to these conditions and ensure an inclusive energy transition.
Our stoves are efficient, reduce fuel dependency, and allow for time saving, gender impact and health benefits along with emission reductions.
We monitor and survey these aspects periodically and make sure we keep track of progress.
Just in 2021, we managed to establish 2 new small scale cookstove projects in 2 countries and distribute 8004 additional improved cookstove solutions. Expansion plans are being implemented in new communities in 2022, allowing us to fight HAP and save lives.
