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Impacts of Improved Biomass Cookstoves on Child and Adult Health : Experimental Evidence from Rural Ethiopia

Author

Listed:
  • LaFave,Daniel
  • Beyene,Abebe Damte
  • Bluffstone,Randall
  • Dissanayake,Sahan T. M.
  • Gebreegziabher,Zenebe
  • Mekonnen,Alemu
  • Toman,Michael A.

Abstract

This paper presents the three-year impacts of an improved biomass cookstove on child and adult health in rural Ethiopia. After near complete stove adoption during an initial one-year randomized controlled trial, 60 percent of treatment households continued to use the improved stoves three-years on and experienced reductions in hazardous airborne particulate matter. The study finds that treatment status is associated with a precisely estimated 0.3-0.4 standard deviation improvement in height-for-age of young children exposed during their first years of life, compared with a control group of households that never used the improved stove. This is a substantial effect with implications for greater health and well-being throughout the life course. However, the study finds no changes in the respiratory symptoms or physical functioning of older children and adult cooks in treated households relative to control households. The results advance understanding of the health impacts of hazardous air pollution while also refining the design and implementation options for interventions geared toward improving well-being in similar environments.

Suggested Citation

  • LaFave,Daniel & Beyene,Abebe Damte & Bluffstone,Randall & Dissanayake,Sahan T. M. & Gebreegziabher,Zenebe & Mekonnen,Alemu & Toman,Michael A., 2019. "Impacts of Improved Biomass Cookstoves on Child and Adult Health : Experimental Evidence from Rural Ethiopia," Policy Research Working Paper Series 8929, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:8929
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    Cited by:

    1. Furszyfer Del Rio, Dylan D. & Sovacool, Benjamin K., 2023. "Of cooks, crooks and slum-dwellers: Exploring the lived experience of energy and mobility poverty in Mexico's informal settlements," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    2. Odame, Michael Larbi & Adjei-Mantey, Kwame, 2024. "Household air pollution could make children grow shorter in sub-Saharan Africa; but can households help stem the tide on their own?," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 33(C).
    3. Munyehirwe, Anicet & Peters, Jörg & Sievert, Maximiliane & Bulte, Erwin H. & Fiala, Nathan, 2022. "Energy efficiency and local rebound effects: Theory and experimental evidence from Rwanda," Ruhr Economic Papers 934, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
    4. Mekonnen, Alemu & Beyene, Abebe & Bluffstone, Randy & Gebreegziabher, Zenebe & Martinsson, Peter & Toman, Michael & Vieider, Ferdinand, 2022. "Do improved biomass cookstoves reduce fuelwood consumption and carbon emissions? Evidence from a field experiment in rural Ethiopia," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).
    5. Nassibou Bassongui & Albert N’lédji Honlonkou, 2025. "Behavioural Drivers of Cooking Energy Choice in Benin," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 88(2), pages 533-552, February.
    6. Ankel-Peters, Jörg & Bensch, Gunther & Köngeter, Alexandra & Rauschenbach, Mascha & Sievert, Maximiliane, 2024. "Are rural energy access programs pro-poor interventions?," Ruhr Economic Papers 1117, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
    7. Cirilo Mendoza, Elibeth, 2025. "Does subsidized promotion of LPG affect health outcomes? A revision of evidence," Warwick-Monash Economics Student Papers 83, Warwick Monash Economics Student Papers.
    8. Zhu, Lin & Liao, Hua & Burke, Paul J., 2023. "Household fuel transitions have substantially contributed to child mortality reductions in China," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).

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    JEL classification:

    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation
    • Q23 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Forestry
    • Q42 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Alternative Energy Sources

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