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| WHO Targets the Indoor Air Pollution |
The
World Health Organization (WHO) has started to tackle on the indoor pollution
problems and this Wednesday it launched its first guidelines for improving
indoor air quality and set targets for reducing emissions of domestic health-damaging
pollutants.
The guidelines
for indoor air quality were released right after its previous report on indoor
air pollution. The guidelines highlight the importance to use cleaner home
energy sources especially for people of developing countries.
“Ensuring
cleaner air in and around the home is fundamental to reducing the burden of
disease from air pollution, especially in low-and middle-income countries,”
says Dr Maria Neira, WHO Director for Public Health, Environmental and Social
Determinants of Health.
WHO’s
earlier report this year revealed that about 4.3 million people die every year
from household air pollution emitted by cook stoves, space heaters and
fuel-based lamps. And there are about 3 billion people worldwide still
inaccessible to clean fuels.
Scientists
warned that the high levels of fine particulate matter and carbon monoxide,
released by the burning of solid fuels in inefficient stoves, space heaters or
lamps would increase the risks of stroke, ischemic heart disease and chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease.
The
guidelines set the emissions targets for different kinds of domestic appliances
and those standards are established after years of review and examination of
the health impacts of household air pollution emissions.
The new
guidelines also call on people to stop using unprocessed coal as household fuel
for the reason that incomplete combustion of coal in inefficient stoves and
space heaters can lead to severe illness and premature death. And the use of
kerosene as a household fuel is also discouraged for its adverse impact on air
quality and safety and the possibility to cause burns, fires and poisoning.
According
to WHO, women and young children should particularly be aware of this indoor
air pollution because they spend the most time at home taking in the pollutant
air. More than 50% of pneumonia deaths among children under 5 are linked to
household air pollution, according to WHO.
In
order to meet the new targets, cleaner and more modern cooking and heating
appliances are needed. People, especially those who live in low-and-middle
income regions should no longer ignore the indoor air quality for the sake of
our health and safety. And also governments, non-governmental
organizations, the private sector and development partners should work together
to help with the implementation of these guidelines.
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