Cardiopulmonary function in women exposed to biomass fuel smoke: Cross-sectional study in rural Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Background: Globally, half million people use biomass fuel for cooking, which is a major source of household air pollution. Exposure to it increases the risk of developing a range of diseases, including cardiovascular and respiratory. We aimed to assess cardiopulmonary function in women exposed to biomass fuel smoke compared to clean fuel (LPG: Liquified Petroleum Gas).

Methods: Assessed and compared lung function (by spirometry) and blood pressure (by sphygmomanometer in mmHg) in 309 healthy & non-smoker women (157 biomass users; 152 LPG users). Sociodemographic, cooking practices, and other information were collected using a validated questionnaire. Descriptive analysis was done in SPSS v26. Results displayed as median (25, 75) or n (%); p-value.

Results: There was no significant difference in age, height and BMI of study particpants in both groups; p>0.05. Significant decrease in lung function in biomass users- FEV₁ 2.06 (1.73, 2.29) L; FVC 2.48 (2.12, 2.85) L; FEV₁/FVC 0.81 (0.79, 0.85) and FEF_25-75 2.15 (1.56, 2.65) L/s as compared to LPG users- FEV₁ 2.24 (2.12, 2.42) L; FVC 2.78 (2.46, 2.89) L; FEV₁/FVC 0.82 (0.79, 0.88) and FEF_25-75 2.51 (2.09, 3.19) L/s; p<0.001. Blood pressure in both users were significantly different (Systolic- biomass users 119.5 (111.0, 130.5), LPG users 115.3 (108.6, 123.5); p=0.002, Diastolic- biomass users 77.0 (68.8, 84.0), LPG users 72.3 (66.5, 79.5); p<0.001. OAD (post FEV₁/FVC <0.70) prevalence was signficantly high in biomass 10 (6.4%) compared to LPG 2 (1.3%) users; p=0.025.

Conclusions: Exposure to biomass smoke produce impairment in cardiopulmonary function. Switching to cleaner fuel will improve cardiopulmonary health.