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A Chinese study published in the journal PLOS Medicine revealed a link between cooking with wood or charcoal and an increased risk of major eye diseases that can lead to blindness, according to Medical Express.
The study indicated that the use of solid fuels during cooking over charcoal increases the risk of developing cataracts in women and other major eye diseases, such as conjunctivitis, keratitis and glaucoma.
The researchers emphasized that about half of the world's population is exposed to household air pollution from cooking with solid fuels, such as coal and wood.
Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking University analyzed the data of nearly half a million Chinese to learn about their cooking habits through a questionnaire, and the follow-up period lasted for ten years, to reveal the link between charcoal cooking and eye disease.
The researchers found an increased risk of conjunctival disorders, cataracts, scleral, corneal and iris disorders, and glaucoma among study participants.
The researchers confirmed a decrease in the incidence of eye diseases with those who cook using clean fuels, electricity or gas.
The study showed an association between long-term use of solid fuels in cooking and the risk of 32%, 17% and 35% of developing conjunctivitis and cataracts.
The researchers emphasized that these diseases are caused by the emission of carbon monoxide gas, and burning wood also increases the risk of eye injury due to wood dust and other air pollutants.