Indoor air pollution and fatal daily household habits: two cases report in Kigali, Rwanda

BACKGROUND: Around 3 billion people around the world, especially in low-income countries, cook indoors using polluting open fires or simple stoves fueled by kerosene, biomass and coal, which produce indoor air pollution (IAP). According to WHO, the population of sub-Saharan Africa, South and East Asia and the Western Pacific experience the highest rates of health problems from exposure to indoor pollutants. According to the World Bank sustainable energy database, only one third of the Rwandan population have access to electricity.

CASE PRESENTATION: Two case reports with both a fatal acute and chronic outcome of IAP are presented. Because of the lack of electricity, especially in poor environments, IAP is a major risk factor for increased mortality. The health impact of IAP is exemplarily discussed on two case reports how acute high exposure to carbon monoxide for instance can lead to fatal poisoning and death of the whole family.

CONCLUSION: The indoor air poisoning can affect people who are often unaware of the existence of a toxic gas, caused by combustion of biomass in their homes. Therefore community-based preventive intervention trials are needed to educate and alert the people.

Keywords
Indoor air pollution; Rwanda; East Africa; carbon monoxide; gas poisoning; WHO; World Bank sustainable energy database.