Indoor, outdoor pollution puts women at higher risk: Studies

MUMBAI: Women, especially in lower income countries like India, bear the brunt of air pollution due to the dual exposure to indoor as well as outdoor pollutants. This was the gist of a discussion on ‘Women’s Health and Air Pollution’ organized by the Columbia Global Center on Tuesday.

“Many research studies conducted in the marginalized sectors of India show that women who use biomass are exposed to brown carbon that is dangerous,” said Dr Jeanine D’Armiento from Columbia University in New York. Her colleagues Dr Mary Beth Terry and Dr Jasmine McDonald participated in the discussion along with Dr Qamar Rahman from Amity University in Lucknow.

The speakers highlighted the current state of research regarding particulate matter and the rising cases of early onset breast cancer and the impact of burning fossil fuels on health. As exposure to environmental toxins could lead to cardiovascular and neurological diseases and various types of cancer, the experts underlined the need to spread awareness about the link between health and air pollution.

Dr Terry said her studies underlined the need to understand the effect of exposure to air pollutants, pesticides and other toxins on women’s health during pregnancy and menopause. “The early onset of breast cancer in Indian women is a cause of serious concern,” said Dr McDonald.

“There is a need to include occupational health courses in universities to educate young women who are the future of the nation,” said Dr Rahman.

The event was attended by students, representatives from NGOs and civil society organisations, doctors and researchers from institutions such as The Gender Lab, KEM Hospital, Cancer Institute (WIA), Asia Society India Centre, World Bank, King George's Medical Institute, among others.