Household Air Pollution and Pregnancy Outcome

Household Air Pollution and Pregnancy Outcome

Exposure to Household air pollution (HAP) from burning biomass fuels is responsible for an estimated 2.5 million premature deaths and 3.7% of the loss of disability-adjusted life years (DALY) every year in developing countries.52-54 Of all environmental risks, such as unsafe water, poor sanitation, climate change and lead exposure, HAP accounts for the most mortality and DALY.55 Despite the magnitude of the problems associated with HAP, research on its health effects has been hindered by lack of accurate data on exposure and health outcomes. There are few studies available that report HAP exposures and development of adverse pregnancy outcomes from households using biomass fuels.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant women who present to the hospital
• Who cook exclusively with either kerosene or firewood
• Before the fourteenth week of pregnancy as determined by ultrasound imaging

Exclusion Criteria:

• Smoking women or women with smoking family members

• Women with a high-risk pregnancy defined as:

  • Women with uncontrolled hypertension
  • Women greater than 35 years old carrying their first child
  • Women having triplets or more
  • Women who have had a previous C-section
  • Women carrying babies with fetal abnormalities or as determined by the obstetrician.