DETERMINANTS OF INDOOR FUEL CHOICE IN INDIA: AN ANALYSIS

Indoor Air pollution is considered as one of the major contributors to human death and illness. The indoor pollution is more dangerous for those who spend more time indoor, especially in front of the source of the pollution. Women and children bear the maximum risk. Developing countries are the main victims of diseases induced by indoor pollution. The extent of indoor air pollution, to a large extent, depends upon the pollution generated by the type of fuel used in cooking and heating purpose. This paper attempts to analyse the choice of fuels by the Indian population, by both rural and urban areas using NSSO 60th round database. Monthly per capita income and education of the household head found to be important determinants, among others, of fuel choice by the household. Awareness program in terms of basic education and campaigns may provide potential solution to the problem.

室内空气污染被认为是导致人类死亡与疾病的主要诱因之一。相较于其他人群，长期滞留室内、尤其是紧邻污染源的群体受室内污染的危害更为显著，其中妇女与儿童承担着最高的健康风险。发展中国家是室内空气污染引发疾病的主要受害群体。室内空气污染的程度，在很大程度上取决于烹饪与取暖所用燃料类型所产生的污染物排放量。本文依托印度国家抽样调查局（National Sample Survey Office, NSSO）第60轮调查数据集，尝试分析印度城乡居民的燃料选择行为。研究表明，家庭户主的月人均收入与受教育水平，是影响家庭燃料选择的关键因素之一。开展基础教育相关的宣传教育与推广活动，或可为该问题提供可行的解决方案。