LPG Crisis? Don't Switch to Firewood, Warn Doctors

Clinicians are warning against a resurgence in firewood use for cooking, driven by LPG shortages and rising costs. This practice poses serious short-term and long-term health hazards, potentially undoing years of efforts to combat household air pollution.

Burning firewood emits toxic gases and particulate matter, including PM2.5 and carbon monoxide. Immediate effects of inhaling this smoke can include burning eyes, throat irritation, cough, headache, and nausea. These pollutants can significantly impair lung function over time, possibly leading to conditions like emphysema.

The health risks extend beyond individual cooks to the entire household, especially in poorly ventilated kitchens. Children, whose lungs are still developing, are particularly vulnerable. While some perceive food cooked on firewood as healthier, doctors emphasize that any perceived benefits are related to taste, not nutrition, and are vastly outweighed by the risks of smoke exposure.

While minimizing exposure through better ventilation, chimneys, or improved stoves is recommended if firewood use is unavoidable, clinicians stress that these measures offer limited protection against the inherent dangers of open fuel sources.