The Impact of Fuel Type and Household Air Pollution on Respiratory Function and Symptom Prevalence in Children

Abstract

Introduction and Rationale: Household Air Pollution (HAP) results from using biomass fuels, such as wood and animal dung, for cooking and heating. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that at least one third of the global population cook using stoves that generate high HAP, with women and children at heightened risk due to prolonged indoor exposure. This study investigates the impact of HAP on respiratory health outcomes, specifically lung function (FEV1 and FVC), wheezing, and coughing in Nepali children aged 5-14. Methodology: This cross-sectional study analyzed questionnaire data and lung function tests from a sample of Nepali children. The effects of different fuel types on lung function and respiratory symptoms were assessed, with particular attention to variations based on gender. Results: While the study did not find overall differences in lung function metrics (FEV1 and FVC), it did find some significant gender-based differences in FEV1 and FVC between children of families using biomass fuels and those using cleaner fuels. Alternatively, biomass fuel exposure was significantly associated with an increased incidence of coughing with the overall study population showing a higher odds of this symptom. Gender-specific analyses revealed that boys might experience some respiratory benefits from reduced exposure to biomass smoke, whereas girls showed a non-significant trend towards lower lung function values with biomass exposure. Conclusion: While biomass fuel use is significantly linked to increased coughing in children, its impact on lung function metrics like FEV1 and FVC is less clear. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to reduce HAP exposure and encourage the adoption of cleaner cooking technologies to protect children's respiratory health in low-income settings.