1. At least 80% of rural households in India use biomass.
2. In India, biomass contributes to 3.5% of morbidity/mortality and 400,000 deaths in children due to acute lower respiratory tract infections, COPD in women, and lung cancer primarily in women.
3. Respiratory infections and other respiratory diseases are the 3rd and 7th highest causes of disease burden in terms of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) accounting for about 15% of total disease burden in India.
4. Acute lower respiratory tract infections (Ac LRTIs), tuberculosis (TB) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the three most important respiratory diseases. They contribute to 8.6%, 3.0% and 1.9% of the total disease-burden in India, respectively.
5. Typical biomass cooking stoves convert 6-20% of the fuel carbon to toxic substances as a result of simple (poor) combustion.
6. The health-damaging air-pollutants from the typical wood-fired cooking stoves in India include carbon monoxide, the particulate matter, hydrocarbons (like benzene and 1,3-butadiene), oxygenated organics (like formaldehyde) and chlorinated organic compounds.
7. Compared to other countries, India has among the largest burden of disease due to the use of household fuels. It is estimated that 28% of all deaths due to indoor air pollution in developing countries occur in India.

Sources: Gupta, D. Prevalence of Respiratory Diseases in India; Smith, KR. Indoor Air Pollution and Respiratory Disease in India; and Thakur, JS. Knowledge Gaps and Research Priorities of Respiratory Health Effects of Air Pollution in India. Jindal, SK and N Singh. 2009. Indo-US Collaboration on Environmental and Occupational Health: Proceedings of the Joint Workshop on Environmental Risks Of Respiratory Disease Recommendations and Abstracts, 5/6 September 2008, Chandigarh, India.

1. At least 80% of rural households in India use biomass.
2. In India, biomass contributes to 3.5% of morbidity/mortality and 400,000 deaths in children due to acute lower respiratory tract infections, COPD in women, and lung cancer primarily in women.
3. Respiratory infections and other respiratory diseases are the 3rd and 7th highest causes of disease burden in terms of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) accounting for about 15% of total disease burden in India.
4. Acute lower respiratory tract infections (Ac LRTIs), tuberculosis (TB) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the three most important respiratory diseases. They contribute to 8.6%, 3.0% and 1.9% of the total disease-burden in India, respectively.
5. Typical biomass cooking stoves convert 6-20% of the fuel carbon to toxic substances as a result of simple (poor) combustion.
6. The health-damaging air-pollutants from the typical wood-fired cooking stoves in India include carbon monoxide, the particulate matter, hydrocarbons (like benzene and 1,3-butadiene), oxygenated organics (like formaldehyde) and chlorinated organic compounds.
7. Compared to other countries, India has among the largest burden of disease due to the use of household fuels. It is estimated that 28% of all deaths due to indoor air pollution in developing countries occur in India.

Sources: Gupta, D. Prevalence of Respiratory Diseases in India; Smith, KR. Indoor Air Pollution and Respiratory Disease in India; and Thakur, JS. Knowledge Gaps and Research Priorities of Respiratory Health Effects of Air Pollution in India. Jindal, SK and N Singh. 2009. Indo-US Collaboration on Environmental and Occupational Health: Proceedings of the Joint Workshop on Environmental Risks Of Respiratory Disease Recommendations and Abstracts, 5/6 September 2008, Chandigarh, India.

1. At least 80% of rural households in India use biomass.
2. In India, biomass contributes to 3.5% of morbidity/mortality and 400,000 deaths in children due to acute lower respiratory tract infections, COPD in women, and lung cancer primarily in women.
3. Respiratory infections and other respiratory diseases are the 3rd and 7th highest causes of disease burden in terms of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) accounting for about 15% of total disease burden in India.
4. Acute lower respiratory tract infections (Ac LRTIs), tuberculosis (TB) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the three most important respiratory diseases. They contribute to 8.6%, 3.0% and 1.9% of the total disease-burden in India, respectively.
5. Typical biomass cooking stoves convert 6-20% of the fuel carbon to toxic substances as a result of simple (poor) combustion.
6. The health-damaging air-pollutants from the typical wood-fired cooking stoves in India include carbon monoxide, the particulate matter, hydrocarbons (like benzene and 1,3-butadiene), oxygenated organics (like formaldehyde) and chlorinated organic compounds.
7. Compared to other countries, India has among the largest burden of disease due to the use of household fuels. It is estimated that 28% of all deaths due to indoor air pollution in developing countries occur in India.

Sources: Gupta, D. Prevalence of Respiratory Diseases in India; Smith, KR. Indoor Air Pollution and Respiratory Disease in India; and Thakur, JS. Knowledge Gaps and Research Priorities of Respiratory Health Effects of Air Pollution in India. Jindal, SK and N Singh. 2009. Indo-US Collaboration on Environmental and Occupational Health: Proceedings of the Joint Workshop on Environmental Risks Of Respiratory Disease Recommendations and Abstracts, 5/6 September 2008, Chandigarh, India.

1. At least 80% of rural households in India use biomass.
2. In India, biomass contributes to 3.5% of morbidity/mortality and 400,000 deaths in children due to acute lower respiratory tract infections, COPD in women, and lung cancer primarily in women.
3. Respiratory infections and other respiratory diseases are the 3rd and 7th highest causes of disease burden in terms of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) accounting for about 15% of total disease burden in India.
4. Acute lower respiratory tract infections (Ac LRTIs), tuberculosis (TB) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the three most important respiratory diseases. They contribute to 8.6%, 3.0% and 1.9% of the total disease-burden in India, respectively.
5. Typical biomass cooking stoves convert 6-20% of the fuel carbon to toxic substances as a result of simple (poor) combustion.
6. The health-damaging air-pollutants from the typical wood-fired cooking stoves in India include carbon monoxide, the particulate matter, hydrocarbons (like benzene and 1,3-butadiene), oxygenated organics (like formaldehyde) and chlorinated organic compounds.
7. Compared to other countries, India has among the largest burden of disease due to the use of household fuels. It is estimated that 28% of all deaths due to indoor air pollution in developing countries occur in India.

Sources: Gupta, D. Prevalence of Respiratory Diseases in India; Smith, KR. Indoor Air Pollution and Respiratory Disease in India; and Thakur, JS. Knowledge Gaps and Research Priorities of Respiratory Health Effects of Air Pollution in India. Jindal, SK and N Singh. 2009. Indo-US Collaboration on Environmental and Occupational Health: Proceedings of the Joint Workshop on Environmental Risks Of Respiratory Disease Recommendations and Abstracts, 5/6 September 2008, Chandigarh, India.

1. At least 80% of rural households in India use biomass.
2. In India, biomass contributes to 3.5% of morbidity/mortality and 400,000 deaths in children due to acute lower respiratory tract infections, COPD in women, and lung cancer primarily in women.
3. Respiratory infections and other respiratory diseases are the 3rd and 7th highest causes of disease burden in terms of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) accounting for about 15% of total disease burden in India.
4. Acute lower respiratory tract infections (Ac LRTIs), tuberculosis (TB) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the three most important respiratory diseases. They contribute to 8.6%, 3.0% and 1.9% of the total disease-burden in India, respectively.
5. Typical biomass cooking stoves convert 6-20% of the fuel carbon to toxic substances as a result of simple (poor) combustion.
6. The health-damaging air-pollutants from the typical wood-fired cooking stoves in India include carbon monoxide, the particulate matter, hydrocarbons (like benzene and 1,3-butadiene), oxygenated organics (like formaldehyde) and chlorinated organic compounds.
7. Compared to other countries, India has among the largest burden of disease due to the use of household fuels. It is estimated that 28% of all deaths due to indoor air pollution in developing countries occur in India.

Sources: Gupta, D. Prevalence of Respiratory Diseases in India; Smith, KR. Indoor Air Pollution and Respiratory Disease in India; and Thakur, JS. Knowledge Gaps and Research Priorities of Respiratory Health Effects of Air Pollution in India. Jindal, SK and N Singh. 2009. Indo-US Collaboration on Environmental and Occupational Health: Proceedings of the Joint Workshop on Environmental Risks Of Respiratory Disease Recommendations and Abstracts, 5/6 September 2008, Chandigarh, India.

1. At least 80% of rural households in India use biomass.
2. In India, biomass contributes to 3.5% of morbidity/mortality and 400,000 deaths in children due to acute lower respiratory tract infections, COPD in women, and lung cancer primarily in women.
3. Respiratory infections and other respiratory diseases are the 3rd and 7th highest causes of disease burden in terms of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) accounting for about 15% of total disease burden in India.
4. Acute lower respiratory tract infections (Ac LRTIs), tuberculosis (TB) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the three most important respiratory diseases. They contribute to 8.6%, 3.0% and 1.9% of the total disease-burden in India, respectively.
5. Typical biomass cooking stoves convert 6-20% of the fuel carbon to toxic substances as a result of simple (poor) combustion.
6. The health-damaging air-pollutants from the typical wood-fired cooking stoves in India include carbon monoxide, the particulate matter, hydrocarbons (like benzene and 1,3-butadiene), oxygenated organics (like formaldehyde) and chlorinated organic compounds.
7. Compared to other countries, India has among the largest burden of disease due to the use of household fuels. It is estimated that 28% of all deaths due to indoor air pollution in developing countries occur in India.

Sources: Gupta, D. Prevalence of Respiratory Diseases in India; Smith, KR. Indoor Air Pollution and Respiratory Disease in India; and Thakur, JS. Knowledge Gaps and Research Priorities of Respiratory Health Effects of Air Pollution in India. Jindal, SK and N Singh. 2009. Indo-US Collaboration on Environmental and Occupational Health: Proceedings of the Joint Workshop on Environmental Risks Of Respiratory Disease Recommendations and Abstracts, 5/6 September 2008, Chandigarh, India.

1. At least 80% of rural households in India use biomass.
2. In India, biomass contributes to 3.5% of morbidity/mortality and 400,000 deaths in children due to acute lower respiratory tract infections, COPD in women, and lung cancer primarily in women.
3. Respiratory infections and other respiratory diseases are the 3rd and 7th highest causes of disease burden in terms of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) accounting for about 15% of total disease burden in India.
4. Acute lower respiratory tract infections (Ac LRTIs), tuberculosis (TB) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the three most important respiratory diseases. They contribute to 8.6%, 3.0% and 1.9% of the total disease-burden in India, respectively.
5. Typical biomass cooking stoves convert 6-20% of the fuel carbon to toxic substances as a result of simple (poor) combustion.
6. The health-damaging air-pollutants from the typical wood-fired cooking stoves in India include carbon monoxide, the particulate matter, hydrocarbons (like benzene and 1,3-butadiene), oxygenated organics (like formaldehyde) and chlorinated organic compounds.
7. Compared to other countries, India has among the largest burden of disease due to the use of household fuels. It is estimated that 28% of all deaths due to indoor air pollution in developing countries occur in India.

Sources: Gupta, D. Prevalence of Respiratory Diseases in India; Smith, KR. Indoor Air Pollution and Respiratory Disease in India; and Thakur, JS. Knowledge Gaps and Research Priorities of Respiratory Health Effects of Air Pollution in India. Jindal, SK and N Singh. 2009. Indo-US Collaboration on Environmental and Occupational Health: Proceedings of the Joint Workshop on Environmental Risks Of Respiratory Disease Recommendations and Abstracts, 5/6 September 2008, Chandigarh, India.

1. At least 80% of rural households in India use biomass.
2. In India, biomass contributes to 3.5% of morbidity/mortality and 400,000 deaths in children due to acute lower respiratory tract infections, COPD in women, and lung cancer primarily in women.
3. Respiratory infections and other respiratory diseases are the 3rd and 7th highest causes of disease burden in terms of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) accounting for about 15% of total disease burden in India.
4. Acute lower respiratory tract infections (Ac LRTIs), tuberculosis (TB) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the three most important respiratory diseases. They contribute to 8.6%, 3.0% and 1.9% of the total disease-burden in India, respectively.
5. Typical biomass cooking stoves convert 6-20% of the fuel carbon to toxic substances as a result of simple (poor) combustion.
6. The health-damaging air-pollutants from the typical wood-fired cooking stoves in India include carbon monoxide, the particulate matter, hydrocarbons (like benzene and 1,3-butadiene), oxygenated organics (like formaldehyde) and chlorinated organic compounds.
7. Compared to other countries, India has among the largest burden of disease due to the use of household fuels. It is estimated that 28% of all deaths due to indoor air pollution in developing countries occur in India.

Sources: Gupta, D. Prevalence of Respiratory Diseases in India; Smith, KR. Indoor Air Pollution and Respiratory Disease in India; and Thakur, JS. Knowledge Gaps and Research Priorities of Respiratory Health Effects of Air Pollution in India. Jindal, SK and N Singh. 2009. Indo-US Collaboration on Environmental and Occupational Health: Proceedings of the Joint Workshop on Environmental Risks Of Respiratory Disease Recommendations and Abstracts, 5/6 September 2008, Chandigarh, India.

1. At least 80% of rural households in India use biomass.
2. In India, biomass contributes to 3.5% of morbidity/mortality and 400,000 deaths in children due to acute lower respiratory tract infections, COPD in women, and lung cancer primarily in women.
3. Respiratory infections and other respiratory diseases are the 3rd and 7th highest causes of disease burden in terms of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) accounting for about 15% of total disease burden in India.
4. Acute lower respiratory tract infections (Ac LRTIs), tuberculosis (TB) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the three most important respiratory diseases. They contribute to 8.6%, 3.0% and 1.9% of the total disease-burden in India, respectively.
5. Typical biomass cooking stoves convert 6-20% of the fuel carbon to toxic substances as a result of simple (poor) combustion.
6. The health-damaging air-pollutants from the typical wood-fired cooking stoves in India include carbon monoxide, the particulate matter, hydrocarbons (like benzene and 1,3-butadiene), oxygenated organics (like formaldehyde) and chlorinated organic compounds.
7. Compared to other countries, India has among the largest burden of disease due to the use of household fuels. It is estimated that 28% of all deaths due to indoor air pollution in developing countries occur in India.

Sources: Gupta, D. Prevalence of Respiratory Diseases in India; Smith, KR. Indoor Air Pollution and Respiratory Disease in India; and Thakur, JS. Knowledge Gaps and Research Priorities of Respiratory Health Effects of Air Pollution in India. Jindal, SK and N Singh. 2009. Indo-US Collaboration on Environmental and Occupational Health: Proceedings of the Joint Workshop on Environmental Risks Of Respiratory Disease Recommendations and Abstracts, 5/6 September 2008, Chandigarh, India.

1. At least 80% of rural households in India use biomass.
2. In India, biomass contributes to 3.5% of morbidity/mortality and 400,000 deaths in children due to acute lower respiratory tract infections, COPD in women, and lung cancer primarily in women.
3. Respiratory infections and other respiratory diseases are the 3rd and 7th highest causes of disease burden in terms of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) accounting for about 15% of total disease burden in India.
4. Acute lower respiratory tract infections (Ac LRTIs), tuberculosis (TB) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the three most important respiratory diseases. They contribute to 8.6%, 3.0% and 1.9% of the total disease-burden in India, respectively.
5. Typical biomass cooking stoves convert 6-20% of the fuel carbon to toxic substances as a result of simple (poor) combustion.
6. The health-damaging air-pollutants from the typical wood-fired cooking stoves in India include carbon monoxide, the particulate matter, hydrocarbons (like benzene and 1,3-butadiene), oxygenated organics (like formaldehyde) and chlorinated organic compounds.
7. Compared to other countries, India has among the largest burden of disease due to the use of household fuels. It is estimated that 28% of all deaths due to indoor air pollution in developing countries occur in India.

Sources: Gupta, D. Prevalence of Respiratory Diseases in India; Smith, KR. Indoor Air Pollution and Respiratory Disease in India; and Thakur, JS. Knowledge Gaps and Research Priorities of Respiratory Health Effects of Air Pollution in India. Jindal, SK and N Singh. 2009. Indo-US Collaboration on Environmental and Occupational Health: Proceedings of the Joint Workshop on Environmental Risks Of Respiratory Disease Recommendations and Abstracts, 5/6 September 2008, Chandigarh, India.

1. At least 80% of rural households in India use biomass.
2. In India, biomass contributes to 3.5% of morbidity/mortality and 400,000 deaths in children due to acute lower respiratory tract infections, COPD in women, and lung cancer primarily in women.
3. Respiratory infections and other respiratory diseases are the 3rd and 7th highest causes of disease burden in terms of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) accounting for about 15% of total disease burden in India.
4. Acute lower respiratory tract infections (Ac LRTIs), tuberculosis (TB) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the three most important respiratory diseases. They contribute to 8.6%, 3.0% and 1.9% of the total disease-burden in India, respectively.
5. Typical biomass cooking stoves convert 6-20% of the fuel carbon to toxic substances as a result of simple (poor) combustion.
6. The health-damaging air-pollutants from the typical wood-fired cooking stoves in India include carbon monoxide, the particulate matter, hydrocarbons (like benzene and 1,3-butadiene), oxygenated organics (like formaldehyde) and chlorinated organic compounds.
7. Compared to other countries, India has among the largest burden of disease due to the use of household fuels. It is estimated that 28% of all deaths due to indoor air pollution in developing countries occur in India.

Sources: Gupta, D. Prevalence of Respiratory Diseases in India; Smith, KR. Indoor Air Pollution and Respiratory Disease in India; and Thakur, JS. Knowledge Gaps and Research Priorities of Respiratory Health Effects of Air Pollution in India. Jindal, SK and N Singh. 2009. Indo-US Collaboration on Environmental and Occupational Health: Proceedings of the Joint Workshop on Environmental Risks Of Respiratory Disease Recommendations and Abstracts, 5/6 September 2008, Chandigarh, India.

1. At least 80% of rural households in India use biomass.
2. In India, biomass contributes to 3.5% of morbidity/mortality and 400,000 deaths in children due to acute lower respiratory tract infections, COPD in women, and lung cancer primarily in women.
3. Respiratory infections and other respiratory diseases are the 3rd and 7th highest causes of disease burden in terms of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) accounting for about 15% of total disease burden in India.
4. Acute lower respiratory tract infections (Ac LRTIs), tuberculosis (TB) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the three most important respiratory diseases. They contribute to 8.6%, 3.0% and 1.9% of the total disease-burden in India, respectively.
5. Typical biomass cooking stoves convert 6-20% of the fuel carbon to toxic substances as a result of simple (poor) combustion.
6. The health-damaging air-pollutants from the typical wood-fired cooking stoves in India include carbon monoxide, the particulate matter, hydrocarbons (like benzene and 1,3-butadiene), oxygenated organics (like formaldehyde) and chlorinated organic compounds.
7. Compared to other countries, India has among the largest burden of disease due to the use of household fuels. It is estimated that 28% of all deaths due to indoor air pollution in developing countries occur in India.

Sources: Gupta, D. Prevalence of Respiratory Diseases in India; Smith, KR. Indoor Air Pollution and Respiratory Disease in India; and Thakur, JS. Knowledge Gaps and Research Priorities of Respiratory Health Effects of Air Pollution in India. Jindal, SK and N Singh. 2009. Indo-US Collaboration on Environmental and Occupational Health: Proceedings of the Joint Workshop on Environmental Risks Of Respiratory Disease Recommendations and Abstracts, 5/6 September 2008, Chandigarh, India.

1. At least 80% of rural households in India use biomass.
2. In India, biomass contributes to 3.5% of morbidity/mortality and 400,000 deaths in children due to acute lower respiratory tract infections, COPD in women, and lung cancer primarily in women.
3. Respiratory infections and other respiratory diseases are the 3rd and 7th highest causes of disease burden in terms of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) accounting for about 15% of total disease burden in India.
4. Acute lower respiratory tract infections (Ac LRTIs), tuberculosis (TB) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the three most important respiratory diseases. They contribute to 8.6%, 3.0% and 1.9% of the total disease-burden in India, respectively.
5. Typical biomass cooking stoves convert 6-20% of the fuel carbon to toxic substances as a result of simple (poor) combustion.
6. The health-damaging air-pollutants from the typical wood-fired cooking stoves in India include carbon monoxide, the particulate matter, hydrocarbons (like benzene and 1,3-butadiene), oxygenated organics (like formaldehyde) and chlorinated organic compounds.
7. Compared to other countries, India has among the largest burden of disease due to the use of household fuels. It is estimated that 28% of all deaths due to indoor air pollution in developing countries occur in India.

Sources: Gupta, D. Prevalence of Respiratory Diseases in India; Smith, KR. Indoor Air Pollution and Respiratory Disease in India; and Thakur, JS. Knowledge Gaps and Research Priorities of Respiratory Health Effects of Air Pollution in India. Jindal, SK and N Singh. 2009. Indo-US Collaboration on Environmental and Occupational Health: Proceedings of the Joint Workshop on Environmental Risks Of Respiratory Disease Recommendations and Abstracts, 5/6 September 2008, Chandigarh, India.

1. At least 80% of rural households in India use biomass.
2. In India, biomass contributes to 3.5% of morbidity/mortality and 400,000 deaths in children due to acute lower respiratory tract infections, COPD in women, and lung cancer primarily in women.
3. Respiratory infections and other respiratory diseases are the 3rd and 7th highest causes of disease burden in terms of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) accounting for about 15% of total disease burden in India.
4. Acute lower respiratory tract infections (Ac LRTIs), tuberculosis (TB) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the three most important respiratory diseases. They contribute to 8.6%, 3.0% and 1.9% of the total disease-burden in India, respectively.
5. Typical biomass cooking stoves convert 6-20% of the fuel carbon to toxic substances as a result of simple (poor) combustion.
6. The health-damaging air-pollutants from the typical wood-fired cooking stoves in India include carbon monoxide, the particulate matter, hydrocarbons (like benzene and 1,3-butadiene), oxygenated organics (like formaldehyde) and chlorinated organic compounds.
7. Compared to other countries, India has among the largest burden of disease due to the use of household fuels. It is estimated that 28% of all deaths due to indoor air pollution in developing countries occur in India.

Sources: Gupta, D. Prevalence of Respiratory Diseases in India; Smith, KR. Indoor Air Pollution and Respiratory Disease in India; and Thakur, JS. Knowledge Gaps and Research Priorities of Respiratory Health Effects of Air Pollution in India. Jindal, SK and N Singh. 2009. Indo-US Collaboration on Environmental and Occupational Health: Proceedings of the Joint Workshop on Environmental Risks Of Respiratory Disease Recommendations and Abstracts, 5/6 September 2008, Chandigarh, India.

1. At least 80% of rural households in India use biomass.
2. In India, biomass contributes to 3.5% of morbidity/mortality and 400,000 deaths in children due to acute lower respiratory tract infections, COPD in women, and lung cancer primarily in women.
3. Respiratory infections and other respiratory diseases are the 3rd and 7th highest causes of disease burden in terms of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) accounting for about 15% of total disease burden in India.
4. Acute lower respiratory tract infections (Ac LRTIs), tuberculosis (TB) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the three most important respiratory diseases. They contribute to 8.6%, 3.0% and 1.9% of the total disease-burden in India, respectively.
5. Typical biomass cooking stoves convert 6-20% of the fuel carbon to toxic substances as a result of simple (poor) combustion.
6. The health-damaging air-pollutants from the typical wood-fired cooking stoves in India include carbon monoxide, the particulate matter, hydrocarbons (like benzene and 1,3-butadiene), oxygenated organics (like formaldehyde) and chlorinated organic compounds.
7. Compared to other countries, India has among the largest burden of disease due to the use of household fuels. It is estimated that 28% of all deaths due to indoor air pollution in developing countries occur in India.

Sources: Gupta, D. Prevalence of Respiratory Diseases in India; Smith, KR. Indoor Air Pollution and Respiratory Disease in India; and Thakur, JS. Knowledge Gaps and Research Priorities of Respiratory Health Effects of Air Pollution in India. Jindal, SK and N Singh. 2009. Indo-US Collaboration on Environmental and Occupational Health: Proceedings of the Joint Workshop on Environmental Risks Of Respiratory Disease Recommendations and Abstracts, 5/6 September 2008, Chandigarh, India.

1. At least 80% of rural households in India use biomass.
2. In India, biomass contributes to 3.5% of morbidity/mortality and 400,000 deaths in children due to acute lower respiratory tract infections, COPD in women, and lung cancer primarily in women.
3. Respiratory infections and other respiratory diseases are the 3rd and 7th highest causes of disease burden in terms of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) accounting for about 15% of total disease burden in India.
4. Acute lower respiratory tract infections (Ac LRTIs), tuberculosis (TB) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the three most important respiratory diseases. They contribute to 8.6%, 3.0% and 1.9% of the total disease-burden in India, respectively.
5. Typical biomass cooking stoves convert 6-20% of the fuel carbon to toxic substances as a result of simple (poor) combustion.
6. The health-damaging air-pollutants from the typical wood-fired cooking stoves in India include carbon monoxide, the particulate matter, hydrocarbons (like benzene and 1,3-butadiene), oxygenated organics (like formaldehyde) and chlorinated organic compounds.
7. Compared to other countries, India has among the largest burden of disease due to the use of household fuels. It is estimated that 28% of all deaths due to indoor air pollution in developing countries occur in India.

Sources: Gupta, D. Prevalence of Respiratory Diseases in India; Smith, KR. Indoor Air Pollution and Respiratory Disease in India; and Thakur, JS. Knowledge Gaps and Research Priorities of Respiratory Health Effects of Air Pollution in India. Jindal, SK and N Singh. 2009. Indo-US Collaboration on Environmental and Occupational Health: Proceedings of the Joint Workshop on Environmental Risks Of Respiratory Disease Recommendations and Abstracts, 5/6 September 2008, Chandigarh, India.