Women Face Growing Lung Cancer Risk From Indoor Cooking Smoke

COLOMBO (News 1st); Lung cancer cases among Sri Lankan women are on the rise, with health authorities pointing to indoor air pollution caused by traditional cooking methods as a major contributing factor.

The Ministry of Health says that while food safety and clean drinking water continue to receive significant public attention, the dangers posed by polluted air, particularly inside homes, remain largely overlooked.

Director of the Environmental Health and Occupational Health Unit of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Chandani Vithana, said air pollution has emerged as a serious public health challenge both globally and locally, contributing to a wide range of illnesses and premature deaths.

According to Dr. Vithana, between seven and eight million premature deaths occur worldwide each year as a result of air pollution. In Sri Lanka alone, approximately 7,000 premature deaths are recorded annually due to air pollution-related causes.

She explained that exposure to pollutants and harmful particles in the air is linked to asthma, chronic respiratory illnesses, lung disease, lung cancer, heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.

Health officials further warned that indoor air pollution is significantly more dangerous than outdoor air pollution, with pollution levels inside homes often exceeding outdoor levels by several times.

Dr. Vithana noted that many Sri Lankan households still rely on firewood stoves for cooking, particularly in enclosed kitchens with poor ventilation. The burning of firewood releases harmful gases and microscopic particles that can accumulate indoors and be inhaled by household members.

She said these pollutants can travel deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, increasing the risk of severe long-term health complications.

According to the Health Ministry, lung cancer was previously more common among male smokers. However, recent observations indicate a noticeable increase in lung cancer cases among women, a trend that health experts believe is closely linked to prolonged exposure to smoke in poorly ventilated kitchens.

Dr. Vithana also highlighted the dangers associated with kerosene stoves, particularly when used in enclosed spaces. She warned that kerosene combustion releases hazardous substances, including aromatic hydrocarbons that are known carcinogens capable of increasing cancer risk.

Health authorities are therefore urging the public to improve kitchen ventilation, reduce exposure to indoor smoke and avoid the use of kerosene stoves in enclosed environments.