Indoor air pollution a major worry for 25m households in BD: WB
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
FE Report
Poor indoor air quality due to traditional cook-stoves exposes lactating and young children to high health risks and such pollution remains a major concern for 25 million households in Bangladesh despite a number of initiatives aimed at addressing it, according to World Bank (WB).
The WB in partnership with Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) finalised a study on the indoor air pollution problem in Bangladesh. The study highlighted the need for market-driven approach for sustainable introduction to improved cook-stoves and biogas, the WB said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO/2007) estimates that as much as 3.6 per cent of the total burden of disease in Bangladesh is attributed to exposures to indoor air pollution, 32,000 children below five years of age die annually due to acute lower respiratory infections, and 14,000 adults die due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Thus, there is an immediate need to address indoor air pollution at both policy and grassroots levels, the WB added.
The study has explored options for developing a large scale improved cookstoves programme to reduce exposure to indoor air pollution in Bangladesh.
The lessons from the total sanitation campaign and other successful improved cook-stove approaches employed around the world provide insights for making recommendations for a large scale improved stoves programme in Bangladesh.
To reduce exposure to indoor air pollution and make the rural household energy programme in Bangladesh sustainable, a market-driven model is needed that allows for the growth of entrepreneurs and micro-enterprises on improved cook-stoves and biogas through intensive training and capacity building and micro-credit assistance. The Union Parishads and community-based organisations need to be involved to facilitate such programmes.
The recommended measures from this study can only be implemented if the findings of the report are widely disseminated and linked to the national development priorities. A draft report has been submitted to the government and report findings will be disseminated in consultation with the government focusing on implementation of the report recommendations in accordance with national priorities.
The WB had undertaken this study on the request of the government of Bangladesh during the period 2006-2009. The study was conducted in a highly participatory process that involved several departments of the government of Bangladesh, donors, non-government organisations, local government officials, academics and researchers, entrepreneurs and last but not least, the communities.
Poor indoor air quality due to traditional cook-stoves exposes lactating and young children to high health risks and such pollution remains a major concern for 25 million households in Bangladesh despite a number of initiatives aimed at addressing it, according to World Bank (WB).
The WB in partnership with Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) finalised a study on the indoor air pollution problem in Bangladesh. The study highlighted the need for market-driven approach for sustainable introduction to improved cook-stoves and biogas, the WB said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO/2007) estimates that as much as 3.6 per cent of the total burden of disease in Bangladesh is attributed to exposures to indoor air pollution, 32,000 children below five years of age die annually due to acute lower respiratory infections, and 14,000 adults die due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Thus, there is an immediate need to address indoor air pollution at both policy and grassroots levels, the WB added.
The study has explored options for developing a large scale improved cookstoves programme to reduce exposure to indoor air pollution in Bangladesh.
The lessons from the total sanitation campaign and other successful improved cook-stove approaches employed around the world provide insights for making recommendations for a large scale improved stoves programme in Bangladesh.
To reduce exposure to indoor air pollution and make the rural household energy programme in Bangladesh sustainable, a market-driven model is needed that allows for the growth of entrepreneurs and micro-enterprises on improved cook-stoves and biogas through intensive training and capacity building and micro-credit assistance. The Union Parishads and community-based organisations need to be involved to facilitate such programmes.
The recommended measures from this study can only be implemented if the findings of the report are widely disseminated and linked to the national development priorities. A draft report has been submitted to the government and report findings will be disseminated in consultation with the government focusing on implementation of the report recommendations in accordance with national priorities.
The WB had undertaken this study on the request of the government of Bangladesh during the period 2006-2009. The study was conducted in a highly participatory process that involved several departments of the government of Bangladesh, donors, non-government organisations, local government officials, academics and researchers, entrepreneurs and last but not least, the communities.