CGPH FACULTY: Kirk R. Smith, Michael Bates
DATE OF PUBLICATION: April 2010
REGION: Asia
REFERENCE: Pokhrel AK, Bates MN, Verma SC, Joshi HS, Sreeramareddy CT, Smith KR. Tuberculosis and indoor biomass and kerosene use in Nepal: a case-control study. Environ Health Perspect. 2010 Apr;118(4):558-64. doi: 10.1289/ehp.0901032.
SUMMARY/ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: In Nepal, tuberculosis (TB) is a major problem. Worldwide, six previous epidemiologic studies have investigated whether indoor cooking with biomass fuel such as wood or agricultural wastes is associated with TB with inconsistent results. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that the use of indoor biomass fuel, particularly as a source of heating, is associated with TB in women. It also provides the first evidence that using kerosene stoves and wick lamps is associated with TB. These associations require confirmation in other studies. If using kerosene lamps is a risk factor for TB, it would provide strong justification for promoting clean lighting sources, such as solar lamps.
ACCESS: Link to Pubmed