Impact of Stove Interventions on Indoor Air Pollution

Malawi is one of the world's least developed countries, ranking 168 out of 174 countries according to the Human Development Index of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). With a gross national product (GNP) per capita of US$ 170, Malawi is behind the average of Sub-Saharan African states. Its economy is predominantly agricultural, with 85% of the people living in rural areas. The population of about 13 million is growing at a rate of 3.2% each year. With a land area of 94,000 square kilometres, Malawi is one of Sub-Saharan Africa's most densely populated countries. This as well as the extreme poverty put great pressure on the environment for more farmland and fuel wood. Malawi's annual deforestation rate is amongst the highest in Africa (2.8% per year). As forest areas continue to dwindle, environmental problems as erosion, flash floods and river siltation are increasing. Wood is the main source of fuel for cooking and heating water in 98% of rural households and meets virtually all other energy activities. Together charcoal and firewood provide 94% of the total energy consumed in urban households. Over 90 percent of total energy demand in Malawi is met by biomass. With population growth in Malawi being one of the highest in Southern Africa, this demand is considered a serious threat to forests. A recent household survey showed that about 94% of the people in Malawi are using wood fuel for energy. This represents an increasing trend in wood dependence from the previous 90% population in the year 2000. Both production and consumption of wood fuels occur in informal sector where records are not properly kept. Data on production and consumption is therefore based on surveys. About 94% of the Malawi’s population is exposed to indoor air pollution from biomass combustion/solid fuels. The extent of exposure is not known and also the potential impact of improved stoves on indoor air pollution is not known. This research proposal seeks to determine the effects of the interventions on indoor air pollution from biomass combustion from selected rural households.