Biofilters for Improving Indoor Air Quality and Health

Household air pollution (HAP) is a leading cause for morbidity and mortality, with a huge percentage of global disease burden. HAP is a growing challenge in Africa where more than 83% of residents in sub-Saharan Africa continue to use solid fuel for cooking. Other sources of HAP are particulate matter, ozone, and volatile organic compounds. HAP and ambient air pollution accounted for about 800,000 and 398000 deaths in Africa region respectively. The negative health effects of exposure to HAP are: respiratory (communicable and non-communicable), cardiovascular ,neurocognitive, adverse pregnancy outcomes and others. Chronic respiratory diseases like asthma, COPD and lung cancer are major health issues. Others are lung function decrement, interstitial lung disease, bronchiectasis and diminished airways protection. Low-cost innovations, public awareness on health and climate change and capacity building for health workers to advocate for clean air are unmet gaps, which will be addressed.