Even partial reduction of biomass fuel use may improve the respiratory health of rural women in Central India [Short communication]

Routine use of biomass fuels in cooking adversely affects respiratory health, but whether partial abolition of the biomass use is also detrimental is unknown. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 760 women in rural central India: 283 used non-biomass fuels (Group A), 225 biomass and other fuels (Group B), while 252 exclusively used biomass fuels (Group C). Robust multivariate analyses adjusted for age, daily cooking time, cooking experience, marital status, overcrowding and education showed that only Group C, and not Group B, had poor respiratory health. Our results indicate that even partial abolition of biomass use may be beneficial.