A shocking new study has revealed that nearly one in three people worldwide continue to breathe in dangerous household air pollution, despite a global decline in exposure levels. The research, published in The Lancet, underscores the persistent and deadly impact of indoor air pollution, particularly in low-income countries.
In 2021 alone, household air pollution contributed to 3.1 million deaths globally, with the highest burden falling on communities where solid fuels such as wood, coal, kerosene, and crop waste are commonly used for cooking. According to the US-based Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), the situation remains critical, as toxic particles from these fuels penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, leading to severe health consequences.
Household air pollution has been linked to a range of life-threatening illnesses, including lung cancer, stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), type 2 diabetes, respiratory infections, cataracts, and neonatal disorders. Alarmingly, the study found that children under the age of five are particularly vulnerable, with more than 500,000 deaths in this age group attributed to household air pollution in 2021 alone—accounting for 11% of global under-five mortality.
“The high burden of disease among children is deeply concerning,” said the study authors. “The health effects of household air pollution can be fatal and long-lasting, yet they have not received adequate attention from researchers and policymakers.”
While the proportion of people exposed to household air pollution has decreased significantly—from 56.7% in 1990 to 33.8% in 2021—the actual number of people affected has declined only slightly due to population growth. Today, a staggering 2.67 billion people remain exposed to harmful indoor pollutants.
The impact varies widely by region. In sub-Saharan Africa, a shocking 78.8% of people are still exposed to pollution from solid cooking fuels, leading to an increase in pollution-related deaths from 685,000 in 1990 to 741,000 in 2021. South Asia follows closely, with 53.2% of people affected. In contrast, the exposure rate in central and eastern Europe and central Asia is just 7.5%, while in high-income countries, it stands at an encouraging 0.4%.
The findings highlight the need for urgent action to transition communities to cleaner energy sources. Researchers stress the importance of investing in new technologies, subsidizing clean-energy cooking appliances, enforcing emissions restrictions, and launching public awareness campaigns.
“Supporting under-resourced communities in adopting cleaner energy is crucial to improving health outcomes and promoting sustainable development,” the study concludes. “Without intervention, millions will continue to suffer from preventable diseases caused by household air pollution.”
As global health organizations and policymakers consider next steps, experts emphasize that tackling household air pollution is not just a health priority—it’s a human rights issue.
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