Abstract:
Purpose of Review This research aims to summarize evidence on the cardiovascular effects of indoor air pollution (IAP) from
solid fuel and identify areas for research and policy for low- and middle-income countries.
Recent Findings IAP affects people from low socioeconomic status in Latin America, Asia, and Africa, who depend upon
biomass as a fuel for cooking, heating, and lighting. In these settings, IAP disproportionately affects women, children, the elderly,
and people with cardiopulmonary disease. The health effects of IAP include acute respiratory infections, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease, pneumoconiosis, cataract and blindness, pulmonary tuberculosis, adverse effects to pregnancy, cancer, and
cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. New methods for assessing individual IAP exposure, exposing pathways of IAP-
related cardiovascular disease, and performing qualitative research focusing on population preferences regarding strategies to
reduce IAP exposure have been the most important developments in tackling the burden of IAP. Unfortunately, major disparities
exist regarding research into the cardiovascular effects of IAP, with only few studies coming from sub-Saharan Africa, despite
this region having the highest proportion of households using solid fuels.
Summary Premature cardiovascular deaths and disability can be averted in low-middle income countries by addressing biomass
fuel usage by the most disadvantaged settings. While research is needed to uncover the mechanisms involved in cardiovascular
outcomes linked to IAP, immediate action is needed to educate the most affected populations on IAP health hazards and to reduce
their exposure to this environmental risk through promoting improved housing and better ventilation, as well as increasing access
to affordable clean cooking energy.
