Exposure to household air pollution from biomass cookstoves and blood pressure among women in rural Honduras: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Growing evidence links household air pollution exposure from biomass cookstoves with elevated blood pressure. We assessed cross-sectional associations of 24-hour mean concentrations of personal and kitchen fine particulate matter (PM ), black carbon (BC), and stove type with blood pressure, adjusting for confounders, among 147 women using traditional or cleaner-burning Justa stoves in Honduras. We investigated effect modification by age and body mass index. Traditional stove users had mean (standard deviation) personal and kitchen 24-hour PM concentrations of 126 μg/m (77) and 360 μg/m (374), while Justa stove users' exposures were 66 μg/m (38) and 137 μg/m (194), respectively. BC concentrations were similarly lower among Justa stove users. Adjusted mean systolic blood pressure was 2.5 mm Hg higher (95% CI, 0.7-4.3) per unit increase in natural log-transformed kitchen PM concentration; results were stronger among women of 40 years or older (5.2 mm Hg increase, 95% CI, 2.3-8.1). Adjusted odds of borderline high and high blood pressure (categorized) were also elevated (odds ratio = 1.5, 95% CI, 1.0-2.3). Some results included null values and are suggestive. Results suggest that reduced household air pollution, even when concentrations exceed air quality guidelines, may help lower cardiovascular disease risk, particularly among older subgroups.

Indoor air pollution concentrations and cardiometabolic health across four diverse settings in Peru: a cross-sectional study

“…We observed a positive association between IAP with BP which is consistent with ndings from previous studies looking at cookstove-related IAP in Guatemala 35 , Bolivia 39 , Honduras 28 , and China. 27 This association has also been noted with ambient PM 2.5 .…”

“…[21][22][23][24] Chronic CO exposures have also been linked to congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and cardiovascular disease, 25 as well as increased C-reactive protein. 26 While there is growing evidence for relationships between ambient air pollution and cardiometabolic health, there are few studies 27,28 that explore the impact of IAP on cardiometabolic health in LMICs and very few studies that examine IAP in LMIC homes that use gas, electricity, or other non-biomass fuels.…”

Indoor air pollution exposures and cardiometabolic health across four diverse settings in Peru: a cross-sectional study

“…We observed a positive association between IAP with BP which is consistent with findings from previous studies looking at cookstove-related IAP in Guatemala 34 , Bolivia 38 , Honduras 27 and China. 26 This association has also been noted with ambient PM 2.5 .…”

“…This supports a recent systematic review 37 that describes the limitations of using CO as a correlate for PM 2.5 in household air pollution exposure assessments. An additional analysis found no evidence to support findings 26,27 of a stronger association between biomass-related PM 2.5 and BP among older women when compared to younger women, nor did we find a difference in associations when stratifying by sex (results not presented).…”

“…21−23 Chronic CO exposures have also been linked to congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and cardiovascular disease, 24 as well as increased C-reactive protein. 25 While there is growing evidence for relationships between ambient air pollution and cardiometabolic health, there are few studies 26,27 that explore the impact of IAP on cardiometabolic health in LMICs and very few studies that examine IAP in LMIC homes that use gas, electricity, or other non-biomass fuels.…”