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Indoor air quality for poor families: new evidence from Bangladesh

Author

Listed:
  • Dasgupta, Susmita
  • Huq, Mainul
  • Khaliquzzaman, M.
  • Pandey, Kiran
  • Wheeler, David

Abstract

Indoor air pollution (IAP) from cooking and heating is estimated to kill a million children annually in developing countries. To promote a better understanding of IAP, the authors investigate the determinants of IAP in Bangladesh using the latest air monitoring technology and a national household survey. The study concludes that IAP is dangerously high for many poor families in Bangladesh. Concentrations of respirable airborne particulates(PM10) 300 ug/m3 or greater are common in the sample, implying widespread exposure to a serious health hazard. Poor households in Bangladesh depend heavily on wood, dung, and other biomass fuels. The econometric results indicate that fuel choice significantly affects indoor pollution levels: Natural gas and kerosene are significantly cleaner than biomass fuels. However, household-specific factors apparently matter more than fuel choice in determining PM10 concentrations. In some biomass-burning households, concentrations are scarcely higher than in households that use natural gas. The results suggest that cross-household variation is strongly affected by structural arrangements-cooking locations, construction materials, and ventilation practices. The authors'analysis also suggests that poor families may not have to wait for clean fuels or clean stoves to enjoy significantly cleaner air. Within their sample household population, some arrangements are already producing relatively clean conditions, even when"dirty"biomass fuels are used. Since these arrangements are already within the means of poor families, the scope for cost-effective improvements may be larger than is commonly believed.

Suggested Citation

  • Dasgupta, Susmita & Huq, Mainul & Khaliquzzaman, M. & Pandey, Kiran & Wheeler, David, 2004. "Indoor air quality for poor families: new evidence from Bangladesh," Policy Research Working Paper Series 3393, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:3393
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. World Bank, 2001. "Making Sustainable Commitments : An Environment Strategy for the World Bank," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 13985.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sabina Alkire, Maria Emma Santos, 2010. "Acute Multidimensional Poverty: A New Index for Developing Countries," OPHI Working Papers 38, Queen Elizabeth House, University of Oxford.
    2. Naureen Fatema, 2005. "The Impact of Structural Gender Differences and its Consequences on Access to Energy in Rural Bangladesh," World Bank Publications - Reports 8261, The World Bank Group.
    3. Chakrabarty, Sayan & Boksh, F.I.M. Muktadir & Chakraborty, Arpita, 2013. "Economic viability of biogas and green self-employment opportunities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 28(C), pages 757-766.
    4. John H. Y. Edwards & Christian Langpap, 2005. "Startup Costs and the Decision to Switch from Firewood to Gas Fuel," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 81(4).
    5. Edwards, John H. Y. & Langpap, Christian, 2012. "Fuel choice, indoor air pollution and children's health," Environment and Development Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 17(4), pages 379-406, August.
    6. Dasgupt, Susmita & Huq, Mainul & Khaliquzzaman, M. & Pandey, Kiran & Wheeler, David, 2004. "Who suffers from indoor air pollution? evidence from Bangladesh," Policy Research Working Paper Series 3428, The World Bank.
    7. Bhagowalia, Priya & Gupta, Parul, 2011. "Nutritional status and access to clean fuels: Evidence from South Asia," 2011 Annual Meeting, July 24-26, 2011, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 103728, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    8. Min Bikram Malla Thakuri, 2010. "Revisiting the Need of Improved Stoves: Estimating Health, Time and Carbon Benefits," Working Papers id:2398, eSocialSciences.
    9. Muhammad Nasir & Faiz Ur Rehman & Shabana Kishwar & Saima Bashir & Muhammad Adil, 2021. "Air pollution and child health: the impact of brick kiln pollution on children's cognitive abilities and physical health in Pakistan," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(9), pages 13590-13606, September.

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