Central & South Asia

Poor Sri Lankans face firewood health risk

Vast majority of population have no other option but to use wood-burning stoves despite health risks.
Last Modified: 18 Mar 2013 14:20

Hundreds of experts from around the world are gathering in the Cambodian capital to discuss health problems linked to the use of firewood for cooking.

The use of firewood is common practice for many poor people across the world, but research shows that inhaling the harmful fumes emitted could cause lung and heart diseases.

In Sri Lanka, where nearly 80 percent of the population does not have a better alternative than firewood stoves due to their economic situation, many die from breathing in the smoke.

Al Jazeera's Minelle Fernandez reports from Kandy.

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Al Jazeera
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