Is household air pollution a risk factor for eye disease?

Sheila K. West, Michael N. Bates, Jennifer S. Lee, Debra A. Schaumberg, David J. Lee, Heather Adair-Rohani, Dong Feng Chen, Houmam Araj

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

In developing countries, household air pollution (HAP) resulting from the inefficient burning of coal and biomass (wood, charcoal, animal dung and crop residues) for cooking and heating has been linked to a number of negative health outcomes, mostly notably respiratory diseases and cancers. While ocular irritation has been associated with HAP, there are sparse data on adverse ocular outcomes that may result from acute and chronic exposures. We consider that there is suggestive evidence, and biological plausibility, to hypothesize that HAP is associated with some of the major blinding, and painful, eye conditions seen worldwide. Further research on this environmental risk factor for eye diseases is warranted.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5378-5398
Number of pages21
JournalInternational journal of environmental research and public health
Volume10
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 25 2013

Keywords

  • Biomass
  • Blindness
  • Cataract
  • Dry eye disease
  • Household air pollution
  • Trachoma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pollution
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

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