Pratim Biswas, Lucy & Stanley Lopata Professor, Department of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering
Cookstoves are a central part of millions of homes throughout Asia, including India. Communities in rural areas often use readily available and cheap biofuels — such as crop remnants or dung — to prepare the food they need to survive.
Previously, numerous research groups worldwide have shown smoke emitted from cookstoves have a definite, detrimental environmental impact, particularly in India. They clog the air with particulates that, when inhaled, are dangerous to overall human health. Despite advances in technology, many people are reluctant or unable to adopt the newer, cleaner cookstoves. For several years, a collaborative team from Washington University in St. Louis has studied the issue and potential solutions. Now, new research from our university gives us a clearer picture of the problem’s true scope.
Read the full piece in India CSR.
Comments and respectful dialogue are encouraged, but content will be moderated. Please, no personal attacks, obscenity or profanity, selling of commercial products, or endorsements of political candidates or positions. We reserve the right to remove any inappropriate comments. We also cannot address individual medical concerns or provide medical advice in this forum.