Household air pollution and health: rethinking indoor exposure in the places we call home

Abstract

Household air pollution has long been overlooked in environmental health policy, yet the evidence now makes clear that our homes, particularly in low and middle-income countries, are often the most significant sites of exposure to airborne pollutants. This “Household Air Pollution” collection brings together six recent studies that investigate emissions from common household activities, characterize pollutant concentrations in domestic environments, and assess associated health risks. This multidisciplinary research – spanning environmental engineering, aerosol science, epidemiology, and public health – demonstrates that improving household air quality is both necessary and feasible. Together, they highlight the urgent need for integrated strategies, policies and standards that prioritize indoor environments as a key determinant of health and developing health-centered design, source control, and public awareness to improve indoor air quality where it matters most: in our homes. We are grateful to the authors for their insightful contributions, the reviewers for their expertise, and the Scientific Reports editorial team for their support. We hope this Collection serves as a valuable resource and a call to action for scientists, public health officials, architects, and policymakers alike.