IISc Study Finds Women at Greater Risk of Cognitive Decline from Polluting Cooking Fuels

Women exposed to household air pollution from polluting cooking fuels face a significantly higher risk of cognitive decline than men, according to a new study conducted by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. The findings were published in The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia journal.

The study analysed MRI brain scans of ageing adults in Srinivaspura, a rural town in Karnataka, as part of a broader investigation into the neurological effects of household air pollution (HAP). It revealed that women showed more pronounced changes in brain structures associated with cognitive functioning, suggesting increased vulnerability to neurological damage due to long-term exposure.

Researchers from IISc collaborated with experts from the University of Chicago, USA, to conduct the study. They explained that burning solid fuels like firewood, cow dung, and crop residue, especially in poorly ventilated kitchens, releases a cocktail of harmful pollutants. These include carbon monoxide, nitrogen and sulphur oxides, heavy metals, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5)—all of which can enter the bloodstream and affect the brain.

“Due to traditional gender roles, women in rural households spend more time near the cooking stove, leading to prolonged exposure to these pollutants,” the researchers noted. “This extended exposure may accelerate brain ageing and increase the risk of cognitive decline, including memory loss, slower thinking, and possibly dementia in later years.”

The study underscores the urgent need to transition to cleaner cooking fuels, such as LPG or electricity, and to improve ventilation in rural kitchens to protect the health of women, especially as they age.

Public health experts say the research highlights a critical but often overlooked gender disparity in environmental health. It also points to the broader cognitive risks of indoor air pollution, which remains a serious issue in many parts of rural India.

The findings support current policy efforts like the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, aimed at promoting clean cooking energy, but also suggest the need for more targeted interventions focused on women’s health and cognitive wellbeing.