Biomass cooking for 4 hours = inhaling 10-100 cigarettes: Expert

Nagpur: At a time when more than half of Indians rely on solid fuels for cooking, experts have stated that smoke emitted from cooking for four hours in a day using biomass is equivalent to inhaling over 10-100 cigarettes in terms of carcinogens.

This was highlighted by former assistant director of Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute Dr Manas Ranjan Ray during the World Environment Day programme held at the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (Neeri) on Thursday. On Wednesday, TOI had reported about a scientific research which stated that millions of households in the country are single-largest source of air pollution.

Stating that the country was suffering more from indoor air pollution than outdoor, Ray said that as much as 85% of air pollution is from households, while only 15% is from outdoor sources. “It is a misconception that biomass is less polluting. In fact, burning biomass is more toxic than kerosene,” he said.

Highlighting other sources of household pollution, the expert said, “Burning one coil of mosquito repellent is equivalent to 100 cigarettes. While the composition of particulate matter emitted from cigarettes is 10mg/g in cigarettes, it is 45 milligrams per gram (mg/g) in incense sticks.”

Electronic gadgets and personal care products containing ‘paraben’ and other toxic compounds also lead to household air pollution, Dr Ray added.

While PM10 and PM2.5 are widely known pollutants causing health ailments, the lesser-talked about ultra-fine particles are the most dangerous. Said the expert, “Less than 0.1 microns, these particles are the deadliest. After being deposited in the lungs, the inhaled pollutants can enter the bloodstream and attack any body, including the brain.”

Not just respiratory ailments, air pollution is responsible for various other diseases. During his talk on the health aspects of air pollution, Dr Ray explained how right from hypertension, cardiac arrest to mental diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinsons — the menace of pollution is widespread.

“Our research has shown that pollution is also responsible for causing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder among children. Moreover, it is even dangerous for an unborn child as pollutants can easily travel through the umbilical cord to the foetus,” he said.

The expert added that toxic air also harms the female reproductive system, leading to various complications in menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

During the event, chief scientist and head of Climate Change division JS Pandey highlighted the urgency to act upon global warming. Senior principal scientist at Neeri Dr Padma Rao, who also heads the Air Pollution and Control Division, said that the actions plans for about ten non-attainment cities of the state have been submitted.

Chief scientist Hemant Purohit said that the significant increase in energy consumption is a major cause of pollution. “From 400 billion kilowatt per hour in 2000, it has now gone up to 2,000 billion kilowatt per hour. Development is at its peak in the country and we should have a mitigation plan for 2030 ready to provide us a road map in abating environmental crisis,” he said.