Trending

Stories

Use of Coal, Wood in Cooking Can Increase the Risk of Eye Diseases: Research

Must Read

Cooking with wood or coal can increase the risk of major eye diseases that can lead to blindness, according to a study involving nearly half a million people in China.

The study led by a team of international researchers from the University of Oxford and the Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking University, Beijing, showed that long-term use of solid fuels for cooking was associated with conjunctiva (32 percent), cataracts (17 percent), and disorders of the sclera, cornea, iris and ciliary body (DSCIC – 35 percent), compared with those who cooked using clean fuels.

Also Read

Individuals who switched from using solid to clean fuels for cooking had smaller elevated risks (over those who had always used clean fuels) compared to those who did not switch. People who switched had 21 percent, 5 percent, and 21 per cent higher risk for conjunctiva, cataracts, and DSCIC, respectively, according to the results published in the journal PLOS Medicine.

“The increased risks may be caused by exposure to high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and carbon monoxide, which can damage the eye surface and cause inflammation,” said lead author Dr. Peter Ka Hung Chan, research fellow in the Nuffield Department of Population Health at Oxford.

Burning wood also increases the risk of eye injury from sparks or wood dust.

Further, there was no association found between solid fuel use and risk of glaucoma, because this disorder affects internal eye structures, which are less exposed to pollutants in the air, the researchers said.

“Among Chinese adults, long-term solid fuel use for cooking was associated with higher risks of not only conjunctiva disorders but also cataracts and other more severe eye diseases. Switching to clean fuels appeared to mitigate the risks, underscoring the global health importance of promoting universal access to clean fuels,” Zhengming Chen, Professor of Epidemiology and Director of China Programmes at the Nuffield.

Stay updated

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss an update on the latest tech, gaming, startup, how to guide, deals and more.

Latest

Stories

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Latest

Grow Your Business

Place your brand in front of tech-savvy audience. Partner with us to build brand awareness, increase website traffic, generate qualified leads, and grow your business.

- Advertisement -

Related

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
Sony Unveils Project Q: A Next-Gen Handheld Game Console Snapchat Hits 200M+ Users in India, Introduces AI Chatbot Super Mario Bros. Movie: 6.4 Million Tickets Sold in Japan Samsung Galaxy A14 Launches in India with Impressive Features BGMI Returns: Battlegrounds Mobile India Now on Play Store Twitter Accuses Microsoft of Data Use Policy Violation GIFs take over Instagram comments, unleashing creative expressions! The First US State to Ban TikTok: Montana’s Bold Move Adobe Unveils New Product Line for Digital Marketing Advancements iPhone 15: Early Production and Design Changes for Improved Availability
Sony Unveils Project Q: A Next-Gen Handheld Game Console Snapchat Hits 200M+ Users in India, Introduces AI Chatbot Super Mario Bros. Movie: 6.4 Million Tickets Sold in Japan Samsung Galaxy A14 Launches in India with Impressive Features BGMI Returns: Battlegrounds Mobile India Now on Play Store Twitter Accuses Microsoft of Data Use Policy Violation GIFs take over Instagram comments, unleashing creative expressions! The First US State to Ban TikTok: Montana’s Bold Move