Department of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, UK.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2010 Jul;17(6):1187-96. doi: 10.1007/s11356-010-0293-3. Epub 2010 Feb 17.
In Pakistan, almost 70% of the population lives in rural areas. Ninety-four percent of households in rural areas and 58% in urban areas depend on biomass fuels (wood, dung, and agricultural waste). These solid fuels have poor combustion efficiency. Due to incomplete combustion of the biomass fuels, the resulting smoke contains a range of health-deteriorating substances that, at varying concentrations, can pose a serious threat to human health. Indoor air pollution accounts for 28,000 deaths a year and 40 million cases of acute respiratory illness. It places a significant economic burden on Pakistan with an annual cost of 1% of GDP. Despite the mounting evidence of an association between indoor air pollution and ill health, policy makers have paid little attention to it. This review analyzes the existing information on levels of indoor air pollution in Pakistan and suggests suitable intervention methods.
This review is focused on studies of indoor air pollution, due to biomass fuels, in Pakistan published in both scientific journals and by the Government and international organizations. In addition, the importance of environmental tobacco smoke as an indoor pollutant is highlighted.
Unlike many other developing countries, there are no long-term studies on the levels of indoor air pollution. The limited studies that have been undertaken indicate that indoor air pollution should be a public health concern. High levels of particulate matter and carbon monoxide have been reported, and generally, women and children are subject to the maximum exposure. There have been a few interventions, with improved stoves, in some areas since 1990. However, the effectiveness of these interventions has not been fully evaluated.
Indoor air pollution has a significant impact on the health of the population in Pakistan. The use of biomass fuel as an energy source is the biggest contributor to poor indoor air quality followed by smoking. In order to arrest the increasing levels of indoor pollution, there is a dire need to recognize it as a major health hazard and formulate a national policy to combat it. An integrated effort, with involvement of all stakeholders, could yield promising results. A countrywide public awareness campaign, on the association of indoor air pollution with ill health, followed by practical intervention would be an appropriate approach. Due to the current socioeconomic conditions in the country, development and adoption of improved cooking stoves for the population at large would be the most suitable choice. However, the potential of biogas as a fuel should be explored further, and modern fuels (natural gas and LPG) need to be accessible and economical. Smoking in closed public spaces should be banned, and knowledge of the effect of smoking on indoor air quality needs to be quantified.
在巴基斯坦，近 70%的人口居住在农村地区。农村地区 94%的家庭和城市地区 58%的家庭依赖生物质燃料（木材、粪便和农业废弃物）。这些固体燃料燃烧效率低。由于生物质燃料燃烧不完全，产生的烟雾中含有一系列损害健康的物质，这些物质在不同浓度下可能对人类健康造成严重威胁。室内空气污染导致每年 2.8 万人死亡和 4000 万例急性呼吸道疾病。它给巴基斯坦造成了巨大的经济负担，每年占 GDP 的 1%。尽管有越来越多的证据表明室内空气污染与健康不佳之间存在关联，但政策制定者对此关注甚少。本综述分析了巴基斯坦室内空气污染水平的现有信息，并提出了合适的干预方法。
本综述主要关注于在巴基斯坦发表的关于因生物质燃料而导致的室内空气污染的科学期刊和政府及国际组织的研究。此外，还强调了环境烟草烟雾作为室内污染物的重要性。
与许多其他发展中国家不同，巴基斯坦没有关于室内空气污染水平的长期研究。已进行的有限研究表明，室内空气污染应该引起公共卫生关注。报告显示，室内空气中的颗粒物和一氧化碳含量很高，通常妇女和儿童受到的影响最大。自 1990 年以来，在一些地区已经进行了一些干预措施，包括改进炉灶，但这些干预措施的效果尚未得到充分评估。
室内空气污染对巴基斯坦人口的健康有重大影响。生物质燃料作为能源的使用是导致室内空气质量差的最大因素，其次是吸烟。为了遏制室内污染水平的不断上升，迫切需要认识到这是一个主要的健康危害，并制定国家政策来应对。通过所有利益攸关方的综合努力，可以取得有希望的结果。开展全国性的公众宣传运动，让人们了解室内空气污染与健康不佳之间的关联，然后采取实际干预措施，将是一种合适的方法。由于该国当前的社会经济状况，为广大民众开发和采用改良炉灶将是最合适的选择。然而，应进一步探索沼气作为燃料的潜力，并且需要使现代燃料（天然气和液化石油气）能够负担得起且经济实惠。应禁止在封闭的公共场所吸烟，并量化吸烟对室内空气质量的影响。
