Study Suggests Switching to LPG Could Save 1,50,000 Lives Annually In Rural India & Reduce Air Pollution

In the heart of rural India, many families continue to rely on traditional cooking methods using wood, dung, and coal, unknowingly exposing themselves to harmful smoke. These age-old practices, though deeply ingrained in daily life, have been linked to severe health hazards, contributing to both indoor and outdoor air pollution. A recent study by Vital Strategies, a global public health think tank, sheds light on a potentially life-saving shift: the exclusive use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for cooking. The study's findings are groundbreaking, revealing that such a shift could save over 1,50,000 lives each year.

The study conducted by Vital Strategies emphasizes the health benefits that could be realized by transitioning from traditional cooking fuels to LPG. According to the research, this switch could drastically reduce the exposure of households to PM2.5 pollutants, which are fine particulate matter harmful to respiratory health. The average household exposure could plummet from a hazardous 180 µg/m³ to a much safer 48 µg/m³, significantly lowering the risks associated with air pollution.

The impact of such a reduction extends beyond the confines of individual homes. Smoke from traditional cooking methods not only affects the household but also contributes to broader air pollution levels. The study estimates that switching to LPG could lead to a reduction in ambient PM2.5 levels by 4% to 28% across various states, helping regions like Maharashtra, Odisha, and Uttarakhand achieve national clean air standards of 40 µg/m³.

The health improvements expected from this transition are profound. The study suggests that the greatest benefits would be felt in four states-Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh-regions marked by high populations, low LPG usage, and severe air pollution. According to Sumi Mehta, the epidemiologist leading the study at Vital Strategies, "They have everything going on at the same time," highlighting the urgent need for intervention in these areas.

One of the most significant health benefits would be the reduction in infant mortality, particularly related to low birth weight in children under five. Infants and young children are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution, and reducing their exposure could lead to a healthier start in life. Additionally, the elderly, particularly those over 60 suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), would also experience improved health outcomes as a result of decreased air pollution.

In total, the study estimates that switching to LPG could add approximately 3.7 million "healthy years" to the population, a measure that reflects the number of years people could live in good health rather than suffering from illness and disability.

The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) is a government scheme that offers subsidized LPG connections to impoverished families, aiming to reduce their reliance on traditional cooking fuels. The Vital Strategies study suggests that a health-focused approach to PMUY could amplify its impact.

Researchers analyzed the health impacts of both partial and full LPG subsidies for approximately 90 million poor households with limited or no access to cooking gas under PMUY. The findings indicate that fully subsidizing LPG for these households could have a transformative effect, drastically reducing pollution and saving lives. The annual cost of fully subsidizing LPG for a household is estimated at Rs 8,800, assuming a price of Rs 1,100 per cylinder for eight cylinders. A partial subsidy, on the other hand, would cost Rs 4,800 per household annually, based on Rs 600 per cylinder.

For households not covered by PMUY, the study estimates that an additional Rs 2,000 per household would be needed for connection costs. Despite these expenses, the cost per life saved ranges from about Rs 15 lakh for fully subsidizing pregnant women's households to Rs 62 lakh for general households. Importantly, the study finds that the cost-benefit analysis for all scenarios meets the World Health Organization (WHO) standards for health interventions.

Health experts agree that reducing emissions from traditional cooking methods is crucial to addressing India's broader air pollution crisis. Kalpana Balakrishnan of Shri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research in Chennai underscores this point, stating, "You're not going to reach national air quality standards without eliminating emissions from the household sector." The study's findings reinforce the need for a nationwide push to promote LPG usage, particularly in rural areas where traditional cooking methods remain prevalent.

Inputs from Times of India*