Children in Mongolia are facing significant health challenges due to exposure to harmful levels of household air pollution (HAP) primarily from coal used for cooking and heating. A recent birth cohort study conducted in Ulaanbaatar reveals alarming associations between increased levels of HAP and poor health outcomes among children.
The study, part of a larger randomized controlled trial assessing various child health indicators, involved 1,266 children aged 7, 13, and 36 months. HAP scores were calculated based on household cooking practices, heating fuels, and behavioral factors, providing insight on HAP's cumulative effects. Findings show increased risks of pneumonia, stunting, and neurodevelopmental delays correlated with higher HAP exposure, underscoring the dire necessity for public health initiatives targeting air quality improvement.
At 7 months, each 1-point increase in the HAP score was associated with a 2% rise in pneumonia risk (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.02). Similarly, negative impacts on cognitive development were documented, with mental scores on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development dropping by 0.09 on average for every increase in HAP at 13 months, and psychomotor scores reflecting declines at 36 months.
The study also highlighted the link between growth metrics and HAP exposure, recording significant reductions in height-for-age (HAZ) and weight-for-age (WAZ) scores, which are key indicators of children's nutritional status and overall health. The HAZ scores indicated stunting, with notable decreases observed at multiple time points over the study duration.
This research responds to the substantial body of evidence linking indoor air pollution from solid fuels to adverse health outcomes, particularly among vulnerable populations like children. The findings signify the importance of validating and deploying innovative methods to assess HAP exposure comprehensively, employing composite scoring to aggregate multiple risk factors simultaneously.
Despite past research indicating high ambient air pollution levels as the primary threat, this study emphasizes the urgency of addressing indoor air quality, particularly for households utilizing solid fuels and coal.
Given Mongolia's dependency on coal for heating, especially during severe winter temperatures reaching below -20°C, this research calls for immediate attention to HAP mitigation strategies. Public health policies need to focus on reducing household air pollution to shield Mongolian children from the grave consequences tied to such exposure.
Overall, the study recommends comprehensive interventions to improve household air quality across Mongolia and similar Central Asian settings. Addressing these air pollution issues is expected to yield considerable public health benefits and is pivotal for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3, which emphasizes ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages.