THIS RESEARCH PROJECT IS CURRENTLY INACTIVE.

This project examined the effects of air pollution, sanitation, water quality, and other environmental factors on health in India. Three out of four households in India use highly polluting, unprocessed biomass fuels for cooking, exposing household member to very high levels of pollutants such as fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, and many polyaromatic hydrocarbons on a daily basis. Indoor exposures to tobacco smoke (both active and passive) are also high and on the rise.

Research examined the effects of cooking smoke and tobacco smoke on selected aspects of the health of women, children, and the elderly in India using data from India's National Family Health Surveys. The health outcomes that were considered included tuberculosis, acute respiratory infections, asthma, anemia, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Given that these are serious health problems affecting millions of people in India, the findings will help the government plan proper policy responses.

The project was supported by a grant from the U.S. National Institutes of Health.