Kitchen renovations could reduce household air pollution and save lives in rural China

A study published in the journal Environment Science and Ecotechnology highlights the health benefits of kitchen renovations as a cost-effective way to reduce air pollution in households in rural China.

More than 3 billion people around the world still rely on solid fuels such as wood and coal for cooking, and household air pollution remains a major public health problem. Researchers have found that simple kitchen improvements, such as separating cooking areas and installing ventilation fans, can significantly reduce exposure to harmful pollutants.

The study was carried out by a team from Peking University and looked at the kitchens of rural Chinese households. 82% of rural households have a separate kitchen, but only 34% use mechanical ventilation. Use of ventilation fans is associated with higher income and education levels, indicating that affordability and awareness are key barriers.

Researchers estimate that widespread adoption of ventilation and separate kitchens could reduce exposure to PM2.5 by 23%, potentially preventing more than 67,000 premature deaths a year. That’s $19 billion worth of annual health benefits, far outweighing the $12 billion in renovation costs.

“Kitchen retrofitting is an affordable solution to reduce the health impacts of household air pollution, especially in rural areas where the transition to clean energy is difficult,” said Dr. Guofeng Shen, lead researcher at Peking University. We will provide the following.” “Our findings highlight the need for government efforts to promote ventilation systems and improve kitchen design, especially in low-income areas.”