Many people in the world cook over a fire. This can impact the air quality in homes.
Sources of combustion:
(1) coal
(2) wood
(3) kerosene
(4) other fuel
Problems with air quality that can arise when cooking over a fire:
(1) carbon monoxide
(2) inhalation of particulates
(3) heavy metals in the fuel
(4) worsening of asthma or other respiratory disease
(5) other contaminants from counterfeit or low-quality fuel
Additional hazards:
(1) fuel contaminating food
(2) burns
(3) fire
The risk increases with:
(1) poor ventilation
(2) use of the stove for heat in addition to cooking
(3) not putting the fire out immediately
(4) smoking
(5) air pollution in the community
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Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, Pulmonology
