While the study is based in a Western setup, doctors from India also warned about the impact of indoor air pollution.
Published Sep 04, 2023 | 8:30 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 04, 2023 | 8:59 AM
representative pic (wikimedia commons)
While we often associate air pollution with smog-filled cityscapes and industrial areas, there’s a hidden danger lurking closer to home — indoor air pollution.
As we spend more time indoors, especially in the wake of recent global events, it’s crucial to recognise the importance of indoor air quality for our health and well-being.
Picture this: You’ve just finished a hearty home-cooked dinner, and the air is filled with the savoury aroma of your culinary masterpiece.
As you settle in, you decide to light some scented candles to enhance the ambience. What you may not realise is that this idyllic setting can lead to potential health risks.
A new study from Denmark’s Aarhus University’s Department of Public Health has uncovered a hidden danger due to exposure to burning candles.
Overexposure to these can have adverse health effects, including irritation and inflammation in young individuals with mild asthma. In addition, the study has also discovered signs of DNA damage and inflammation in the blood.
The study said that the process of cooking or burning candles released tiny particles and gases into the air.
Previous studies hinted at the possible health hazards posed by these airborne particles and gases. What sets this research apart is its exclusive focus on young individuals aged 18 to 25, particularly those with mild asthma.
The study’s co-author Karin Rosenkilde Laursen explained, “Our findings are alarming. Even young individuals with mild asthma can experience discomfort and adverse effects if the indoor space isn’t adequately ventilated during cooking or candle usage.”
She added: “This is particularly concerning because young people generally enjoy better health and resilience compared to older age groups.”
She also noted, “While our study centred on young asthmatics, its revelations have relevance for all of us.”
Laursen explained: “As winter approaches, we tend to light more candles and may neglect to open doors and windows while cooking. By prioritising a healthier indoor environment, even during our cosiest moments indoors, we can potentially reduce the risk of severe lung and cardiovascular diseases, as well as cancer.”
While the study is based in a Western setup, doctors from India also warned about the impact of indoor air pollution.
In response to the research, Dr Ravi Mehta, a noted pulmonologist from Apollo Hospital in Bengaluru, said, it was interesting.
“This study looks at indoor air pollution, something which is talked about a lot, but not very quantified, and exists in everyone’s life, but its impact is largely unknown.”
In doing so, he emphasises the importance of quantifying the effects of indoor air pollution, a topic that sparks frequent discussion but lacks comprehensive analysis.
Representative Pic (Wikimedia Commons)
He also highlighted the challenge of distinguishing indoor air pollution from outdoor air pollution.
“It is difficult to tease out the impact of indoor air pollution versus outdoor air pollution,” Mehta remarked. “But since a lot of time is spent at home by people, especially at night, it is of interest.”
Mehta’s insights also delved into the study’s specific findings, which examined the effects of prolonged exposure to candles and cooking among young individuals with asthma.
He notes, “This study looked at potent insult with candle exposure and cooking for five hours in young asthmatics and found that inflammatory marks are increased.”
This finding underscored the potential health consequences of such activities, especially for those with respiratory conditions, he noted.
However, Mehta also cautioned against drawing definitive conclusions from the study. “Raises important observations and provocative questions,” he said about it.
“Observations are that yes, the pollutants which are small particles will go in the airway, which is vulnerable because the lung is open to the environment,” explained Mehta. “It’s quite possible that there will be an impact and it shows an impact with a lot of science and data.”
While the study provided substantial scientific data, the doctor also pointed out that it didn’t conclusively establish a direct link between these indoor activities and worsened health outcomes.
He added, “However, they did not say that this necessarily causes things to worsen in terms of how it would affect the quality of life of these people. This is provocative, but not categorical.”
The study’s findings raised important questions but did not definitively state that these exposures unequivocally led to exacerbations or reduced quality of life in individuals, he noted.
Addressing the study’s limitations, Mehta pointed to its short exposure timeframe as a limitation. He said, however, that it prompted consideration of the potential harm associated with repeated and prolonged exposures over time.
He also underscores the broader implications of this study, especially in the context of different environments.
“It also is a controlled exposure to a Western environment,” he points out, “but if you look at the Indian environment where a lot of biomass fuel is being used, especially in the poor segment and in the north, obviously coal, wood, and kerosene burning, the amount is even higher.”
representative pic of dustmite at home (Creative Commons)
Some of the prevalent offenders within the Indian environment, resembling stealthy intruders, include household smoke generated by traditional cooking methods.
The use of solid fuels such as wood, crop residues, and dung cakes can release detrimental pollutants such as particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO).
The practice of indoor tobacco smoking is also widespread in many households, subjecting family members to the hazards of secondhand smoke.
Similarly, chemicals emitted from paints, adhesives, cleaning products, and pesticides can contribute to harmful indoor air pollution.
Likewise, the presence of dust and allergens like dust mites, mould, and pet dander is often underestimated, yet can act as triggers for respiratory problems and allergies.
