Sanya Aggarwal

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Vaishnavi B

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Kartikye Sharma

Have you ever thought about the reason behind the increasing number of respiratory problems in India? The reason behind this is air pollution. So, can staying at home keep us safe from pollution? Well, while men are prone to outdoor pollution, women are affected by indoor air pollution. Women from slums and rural areas are especially vulnerable to indoor air pollution. In this article, we will read about the impact of indoor air pollution on women’s health in India.<h1>Exploring Indoor Air Pollution: Sources and Definition</h1>&nbsp;Indoor air pollution is a type of air pollution that occurs in and around our homes. This is a serious problem because indoor air arguably contains more pollutants than outdoor air, which can have a negative impact on residents.Indoor air pollution refers to the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the air inside a home, office, university, shopping mall, or movie theater. Indoor air pollution may be a concern in developed countries, where advancements in energy efficiency are making homes relatively airtight, reducing ventilation, and increasing pollutant levels. However, people living in slums and rural areas are more susceptible to air pollution, especially women who are dedicated to household chores involving the burning of firewood for cooking.Surprisingly, indoor air pollution is not given the importance it deserves. Studies on individual exposure to air pollution show that indoor air masses of various pollutants are two to five times higher than outdoor masses, and in some cases more than 100 times higher.But what are the factors that contribute to indoor air pollution? Let’s find out.<h1>Understanding the Causes of Indoor Air Pollution</h1>&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:81.1%;"><img src="https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/pexels_photo_4941852_d9cdf62143.jpeg" alt="pexels-photo-4941852.jpeg" srcset="https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/thumbnail_pexels_photo_4941852_d9cdf62143.jpeg 234w,https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/small_pexels_photo_4941852_d9cdf62143.jpeg 500w,https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/medium_pexels_photo_4941852_d9cdf62143.jpeg 750w,https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/large_pexels_photo_4941852_d9cdf62143.jpeg 1000w," sizes="100vw"></figure>There are several key factors that lead to indoor air pollution that we might ignore in our daily lives. These factors may have a serious impact on our health if they persist. Factors leading to indoor air pollution are:1.cooking and heating equipment&nbsp;2. smoking3. padded furniture and compressed wooden products4. plastic5. CFL6. glue and cement&nbsp;<h2>Cooking and heating equipment</h2>&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:68.2%;"><img src="https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/pexels_photo_6130646_d1a6d1d04d.jpeg" alt="pexels-photo-6130646.jpeg" srcset="https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/thumbnail_pexels_photo_6130646_d1a6d1d04d.jpeg 234w,https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/small_pexels_photo_6130646_d1a6d1d04d.jpeg 500w,https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/medium_pexels_photo_6130646_d1a6d1d04d.jpeg 750w,https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/large_pexels_photo_6130646_d1a6d1d04d.jpeg 1000w," sizes="100vw"></figure>Cooking and heating appliances like stoves, radiators, chimneys, and fireplaces may produce carbon monoxide, which is colorless, tasteless, and odorless. This gas can harm the bloodstream and central nervous system. Being in contact with carbon monoxide can cause headaches, drowsiness, and exhaustion. It can also emit nitrogen dioxide, which can cause breathing problems.<h2>Smoking</h2>&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:69.12%;"><img src="https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/pexels_photo_5645087_21c10b0b1a.webp" alt="pexels-photo-5645087.webp" srcset="https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/thumbnail_pexels_photo_5645087_21c10b0b1a.webp 234w,https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/small_pexels_photo_5645087_21c10b0b1a.webp 500w,https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/medium_pexels_photo_5645087_21c10b0b1a.webp 750w,https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/large_pexels_photo_5645087_21c10b0b1a.webp 1000w," sizes="100vw"></figure>Tobacco and cigar smoke can cause breathing problems, lung problems, heart disease, cancer, bronchitis, and irritation of the eyes, throat, and nose. Smoking also emits carbon monoxide, which causes toxicity and sepsis and lessens the blood's ability to carry oxygen.<h2>Padded furniture and compressed wood products</h2>&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:67.96%;"><img src="https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/pexels_photo_1350789_12212a8622.jpeg" alt="pexels-photo-1350789.jpeg" srcset="https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/thumbnail_pexels_photo_1350789_12212a8622.jpeg 244w,https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/small_pexels_photo_1350789_12212a8622.jpeg 500w,https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/medium_pexels_photo_1350789_12212a8622.jpeg 750w,https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/large_pexels_photo_1350789_12212a8622.jpeg 1000w," sizes="100vw"></figure>New furniture and wood products like plywood, wallboard, and fiberboard produce formaldehyde, a carcinogen. It can also cause ear, nose, and throat irritation, troubled breathing, coughing, fatigue, skin problems, and several allergies.<h2>Plastic</h2>&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:67.89%;"><img src="https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/pexels_photo_2547565_fb1e242a55.jpeg" alt="pexels-photo-2547565.jpeg" srcset="https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/thumbnail_pexels_photo_2547565_fb1e242a55.jpeg 234w,https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/small_pexels_photo_2547565_fb1e242a55.jpeg 500w,https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/medium_pexels_photo_2547565_fb1e242a55.jpeg 750w,https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/large_pexels_photo_2547565_fb1e242a55.jpeg 1000w," sizes="100vw"></figure>Articles made of plastic or PVC release phthalates, which can cause hormonal and reproductive harm. Plastic is one of the major pollutants contributing to pollution. The burning of plastic and inhaling the smoke emitted from it are very dangerous to human health. It destroys our environment completely.<h2>Defective Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL)</h2>&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:67.89%;"><img src="https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/pexels_photo_6990575_403c2d2434.jpeg" alt="pexels-photo-6990575.jpeg" srcset="https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/thumbnail_pexels_photo_6990575_403c2d2434.jpeg 245w,https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/small_pexels_photo_6990575_403c2d2434.jpeg 500w,https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/medium_pexels_photo_6990575_403c2d2434.jpeg 750w,https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/large_pexels_photo_6990575_403c2d2434.jpeg 1000w," sizes="100vw"></figure>A ruptured CFL releases the neurotoxin mercury into the air. Mercury products and their emissions into the atmosphere are extremely hazardous to both the environment and human health.<h2>Glue and cement</h2>&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:67.59%;"><img src="https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/pexels_photo_2219024_97818f4add.jpeg" alt="pexels-photo-2219024.jpeg" srcset="https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/thumbnail_pexels_photo_2219024_97818f4add.jpeg 234w,https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/small_pexels_photo_2219024_97818f4add.jpeg 500w,https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/medium_pexels_photo_2219024_97818f4add.jpeg 750w,https://strapi.thekarmapoints.com/uploads/large_pexels_photo_2219024_97818f4add.jpeg 1000w," sizes="100vw"></figure>They can release inflammable organic compounds such as acetone, which can cause eye soreness and affect the nervous system. Rubber cement contains n-hexane, a neurotoxin. is included. Glue emits deadly formaldehyde.As you are now aware of the factors leading to indoor air pollution, let's read about the effects of indoor air pollution on women.<h1>Analysis of Indoor Air Pollution Effects on Women in Rural and Slum Areas</h1>&nbsp;Women's primary activity of cooking pollutes the environment in rural and slum areas. Most of them use fireplaces to cook, as many of them cannot afford LPG. Women and girls in rural and slum areas are at great risk because they spend a lot of time gathering firewood and generally collect biomass from unsafe sites such as landfills. Young girls also face high opportunity costs as they often have to prioritize biomass accumulation over more productive activities such as studying.The burning of solid fuels causes domestic air pollution, which accounts for 30–50% of the poor air quality across India and is responsible for the premature deaths of approximately 6,000 Indians each year. Studies show that increased levels of poisonous pollutants from chulha are a major cause of lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disease. Inhaling this noxious fume can cause women to develop asthma, have irregular menstrual cycles, and have difficulties during pregnancy.Poverty and lack of knowledge of the negative effects of biomass burning leave women at a higher risk of unintended pregnancy consequences. Studies suggest that women who are constantly exposed to smoking may be more susceptible to consequences such as stillbirth, low birth weight babies, intrauterine growth restriction, and child mortality.We need to recognize the relationship between women's health and domestic air pollution and make systematic investments in research and the creation of cleaner and safer alternatives to natural fuels. The government should launch initiatives for creating awareness among women regarding indoor air pollution and should teach everyone to cope with household pollution.&nbsp;<h1>&nbsp;Conclusion</h1>&nbsp;We cannot ignore the fact that we are slowly moving towards facing the harsh impacts of climatic&nbsp; changes. If the situation persists, then we might have to face them sooner. There’s no escape&nbsp; from what we are causing. It is our karma that we have to take care of. If immediate action is not&nbsp; taken to nullify the current harm caused to the environment, then we all need to brace ourselves&nbsp; to face the consequences of climatic changes.After seeing these existing climatic changes and natural calamities, it won't be wrong to say that we are facing the repercussions of our actions. Everything that we are doing for our own benefit is putting nature in jeopardy in some way or another. Be it deforestation or using an air conditioner, all these factors lead to global warming. But what is the root cause of all these factors? Well, it's us and our increasing needs and demands. All our actions have equal and opposite reactions. If we harm nature, we only have to bear its consequences. Not only us, but we are also putting our future generation at great risk, and there is no escape from it. If we don't do something now, our future may not be as pleasant as we imagine.&nbsp;Continue to read more on karma, climatic changes, poverty, and other topics listed below.Check out our website to learn more about charity and donations.

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Women and girls in rural and slum areas are at high risk because they spend a lot of time collecting firewood and usually collect biomass from unsafe places such as landfills.
Poverty and lack of knowledge about the negative effects of biomass burning put women at greater risk of unwanted pregnancy outcomes.
We must understand the relationship between women's health and indoor air pollution and systematically invest in research and  creation of cleaner and safer alternatives to natural fuels.


Effects of indoor air pollution on women's health

The serious impact of indoor air pollution on women’s health has been ignored for too long—here’s what you need to know.

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Cleaner Air, Healthier Home: Protecting Women's Health from Indoor Air Pollution

Cleaner Air, Healthier Home: Protecting Women's Health from Indoor Air Pollution

Vaishnavi B

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