Harmful Effects of Indoor Air Pollution on Women
摘要
Indoor air quality (IAQ) plays a critical role in environmental health, particularly affecting women who spend a lot of time indoors due to cultural and socioeconomic factors, especially in developing regions like India. Despite the significant focus on outdoor pollution, the harmful effects of indoor air pollution (IAP) remain underexplored, placing women at greater risk of adverse health outcomes. Risks to respiratory, cardiovascular, and reproductive health are increased when people are exposed to pollutants from domestic sources, such as biomass fuels used in conventional cooking methods. Particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are examples of major pollutants that can come from a variety of sources, such as building materials, tobacco smoke, cooking stoves, cleaning supplies, and even outdoor pollution that enters buildings and causes negative health effects. Furthermore, extended exposure to indoor pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO) and PM increases the risk of developing cardiovascular and chronic obstructive lung disorders (COPD). The risk is further increased by sociocultural factors such as gender norms and restricted access to clean cooking methods. This chapter highlights the need for clean cooking solutions, improved ventilation, and educational interventions while examining the complex effects of low IAQ on women’s health. The report promotes a thorough, gender-sensitive strategy to reduce health hazards by highlighting governmental initiatives like clean fuel subsidies and community awareness campaigns. Improving IAQ is crucial for improving women’s health and the general well-being of society, making it a public health priority as well as a gender equity issue.