Institute warns on fatal indoor air pollution
Indoor air pollution caused by burning solid fuels causes the deaths of 1‚400 South African children a year, according to a leading think-tank
SOUTH Africans face more of an air pollution problem indoors than outdoors, says the Institute of Race Relations.The think-tank has produced a paper on air quality showing that low indoor air quality affected 20% of people, mainly in poor black households.The institute said foul air in the homes of poor South Africans poor was worse than the ambient dirty air found scarring a few industrial hotspots."The burden falls most heavily on the black population. Low indoor air quality affects 24% of black households‚ 9% of coloured households and only 1% of white or Indian households."In a third of households all over the country‚ but mainly in rural areas‚ people burned solid fuels such as wood‚ cow dung and coal for cooking and keep warm‚ according to a study published by the South African Medical Journal.The institute said the problem of indoor air pollution accounted for higher healthcare costs‚ reduced adult productivity‚ lowered school attendance and degraded the environment.People in...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.