The Invisible Threat: Household Air Pollution's Impact on Women's Brain Health

A study by the Indian Institute of Science highlights the cognitive risks for women exposed to household air pollution from cooking fuels. Women in rural India, more exposed than men, may face higher risks of brain impairment. Findings stress the need for policies promoting clean cooking technologies to mitigate these effects.

Women exposed to household air pollution from cooking fuels face a potentially greater risk of cognitive impairment than men, according to research by the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru. Published in The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia, the study highlights how pollutants released from burning solid fuels in poorly ventilated spaces could affect the brain, particularly in women in rural areas.

The study analyzed MRI scans of over 1,000 participants aged 45 and above in the town of Srinivaspura, Karnataka, as part of the CBR-SANSCOG research project. It revealed that mechanisms such as inflammation and oxidative stress from air pollutants could lead to cognitive decline, impacting memory, reasoning, and speech, potentially preceding conditions like dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Authors of the study emphasize the public health implications for India, where the prevalence of aging-related disorders is increasing. They advocate for policies promoting clean cooking technology to reduce these health risks. The research underscores the need for community-centered interventions to enhance health literacy and the adoption of clean cooking fuels to mitigate cognitive decline among rural populations.

(With inputs from agencies.)