Investigation to improve indoor air pollution in developing countries

Researchers at the University of Surrey to partner with 11 Official Development Assistance (ODA) countries to investigate ways to improve indoor air pollution.

According to the World Health Organisation, indoor air pollution exposure leads to 4.3 million premature deaths across the world every single year. 

In low-income homes, particularly in developing countries, poor ventilation and inefficient cooking methods expose many people to poor indoor air quality. 

In a bid to raise awareness and reduce this pollution, Surrey’s Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE) will work with the partners to conduct webinars, outreach activities and pilot studies in low-income homes.

The project will also collect primary data of aerosol and carbon dioxide emissions across 12 cities from the ODA nations in a bid to help develop strategies that reduce indoor air pollution. 

Professor Prashant Kumar, principal investigator of the project and founding director of GCARE at the University of Surrey, said: ‘Our main goal and utmost passion here at GCARE is to strive for a world where clean air is available for all — even in indoor environments. This ideal has become even more critical because of the horrendous COVID-19 crisis.

‘We are delighted to receive this support from Surrey’s Global Challenges Research Fund pot, and we look forward to working tirelessly with our friends across the world to make the air cleaner and safer for the most vulnerable.’

Professor David Sampson, added: ‘We are very proud of the collaborative and truly global work of Professor Kumar and his team at GCARE. Indeed, there are few things more important than the quality of the air we all breath.

‘This past year has been proof positive of how knowledge exchange and collaboration lie at the heart of solving some of the world’s most pressing problems.’

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