WHO Guidelines for indoor air quality: Household fuel combustion

Overview

In 2014, WHO issued the first-ever health-based guidelines on clean fuels and technologies for household cooking, heating and lighting. These guidelines aim to help public health policy-makers, as well as specialists working on energy and resource issues, understand and implement best approaches to reducing household air pollution. This extensive scientific assessment identifies which energy systems can be considered clean for health in the home, and specifies the levels of emissions that pose health risks.

The guidelines also include recommendations against the use of unprocessed coal as a household fuel, and against the use of kerosene as a household fuel, in the light of health and safety risks. Another recommendation addresses the need for policies that prioritize substantial health benefits during the transition from use of solid, polluting fuels to clean fuels and technologies, especially in low-income and rural households.