Workshop on 'Household Air Pollution and Health Effects in Rural India'

TERI organised a workshop on 'Household Level Air Pollution and Health Effects in Rural India' on May 18, 2015 in the Seminar Room, TERI, IHC Centre.

Due to the presence of biomass fuel in it, household air pollution causes a lot of health effects and is especially detrimental to the health of women who cook in the rural households. The workshop discussed about the different facets of alternates to traditional cookstoves. It also talked about the rising levels of air pollution, its subsequent health effects, and challenges in creating and implementing solutions. Though challenging, incorporating the agenda of universal clean fuel access or cleaner technology within the broad framework of rural development, will go a long way in reducing the disease burden.

The programme started with a welcome address by TERI. Post this, Dr Parveen Dhamija, Director, MNRE gave a keynote address on 'Challenges in Reducing Rural Air Pollution Exposure through Improved Cooking Options'. Dr Kapil Goel, Medical Epidemiologist gave a presentation on 'Overview of WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Household Fuel Consumption'. Prof Rajendra Prasad, IIT, New Delhi delivered a presentation on 'Workshop on Household Air Pollution and Health Effects in Rural India'. From TERI, Dr Sumit Gautam, Fellow, Centre for Environmental Studies; Ms Meena Sehgal, Fellow, Centre for Environmental Studies; Dr Pooja Arora, Social Transformation; and Dr Arindam Datta, Fellow, Centre for Environmental Studies were present among the speakers.

The session was concluded by a vote of thanks by Dr Suneel Pandey, Associate Director,TERI.