NEWS – A new study in The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia links household air pollution (HAP) from polluting cooking fuels to increased risk of cognitive impairment.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Conducted by IISc Bengaluru and the University of Chicago, the study used data from the CBR-SANSCOG cohort in rural Karnataka.
• Sample included 4,145 adults aged 45+, with MRI data from 994 participants.
• HAP primarily arises from use of firewood, cow dung, coal, kerosene, and earthen stoves (chullahs), common in rural India.
• Women, especially in rural areas, are more exposed and thus more vulnerable to HAP’s brain-related impacts.
• Users of polluting fuels showed significantly lower cognitive scores in global cognition, visuospatial ability, and executive function.
• MRI findings indicated reduced hippocampal volume in females — a key area affected in Alzheimer’s disease.
• Pollutants released during indoor cooking include oxides of carbon, nitrogen, sulphur, VOCs, heavy metals, and particulate matter.
• These affect brain health via inflammation, oxidative stress, and direct entry through the olfactory bulb or blood–brain barrier.
• Air pollution is emerging as a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline, unlike age or genetics.
• Researchers urge promotion of clean cooking fuel and technology to protect public health.