jwr-01-2017-06-10

Journal: Journal of Water Resources (JWR)
Author: Brynn Robinson

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

Doi:10.7508/jwr.01.2017.06.10

The paper aims to assess the health effects associated with the use of biomass fuels and indoor air pollution in the Kapkokwon sub-district in Kericho County, Kenya from March to May 2013. The study area is a sub-district of Kapkokwon in Bomet County, Kenya, with a total of 202 households. The target of their management of the biomass chain is the main women in the family. A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to assess the health effects associated with the use of biomass fuel and indoor air pollution. Studies have shown that due to the biomass fuel chain, reports that physical exertion (86%), neck aches (78%), headache (34%), knee aches (30%) and back pain (16%) are associated with biomass eyes, nose Irritation of the mucous membranes of the throat (100%), coughing (100%), burns (42%), shortness of breath (38%) and increased pressure (2%) were identified as the main health effects and the fourth stage of the biomass fuel chain (Cooking) related. Due to the harmful effects of indoor air pollution (IAP) on health and mortality, many governments, NGOs, and international organizations should plan strategies to gradually reduce indoor air pollution. These strategies include supplementing clean fuel technology, improving stove development, promotion and supplementation, using solar thermal stoves and solar water heaters, processing biomass fuel to make it cleaner, changing user behavior and improving home design.