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Journal of Energy in Southern Africa
On-line version ISSN 2413-3051Print version ISSN 1021-447X
J. energy South. Afr. vol.20 n.1 Cape Town 2009
Household energy, indoor air pollution and child respiratory health in South Africa
Brendon BarnesI; Angela MatheeII; Elizabeth ThomasIII; Nigel BruceIV
ISchool of Human and Community Development, University of the Witwatersrand; and Environment and Health Research Unit, Medical Research Council of South Africa
IIEnvironment and Health Research Unit, Medical Research Council of South Africa
IIICentre for Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand; and Medical Research Council of South Africa
IVDepartment of Public Health, University of Liverpool, England
ABSTRACT
Indoor air pollution due to the indoor burning of polluting fuels has been associated with Acute Lower Respiratory Infections (ALRI) amongst children less than five years old. This paper reviews evidence of the association between household energy, indoor air pollution and child ALRI in South Africa. Studies show evidence consistent with the international literature with the likelihood of ALRI between 2 and 4 amongst children living in households using polluting fuels compared to households using electricity. Indoor air pollution is responsible for the deaths of up to 1 400 children annually. Interventions have demonstrated 46 - 97% lower pollution concentrations compared to open fires. However, the sustainability of selected interventions has been questioned in certain contexts. The paper discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence and highlights opportunities for further research.
Keywords: household energy, indoor air pollution, child ARI, interventions
Full text available only in PDF format.
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Received: 15 June 2008