The relationship between cooking fuel and health status from the perspective of income heterogeneity

Abstract This study estimates the potential relationship between household air pollution and health status via using data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). Household air pollution is measured by different type of cooking fuels. Health status is evaluated from the perspective of respondents’ self-ratings of health, mental health, and by interviewer-assessed health. The data comprise more than 100,000 samples from 162 counties between 2012 and 2019. We employ a Hierarchical Linear Model to infer the potential impact of household air pollution caused by cooking fuel on residents’ health. After adjusting control variables, we find cleaner cooking fuels such as solar energy and biogas are more conducive to residents’ health status. Our findings manifest that cleaner fuels and lower exposure to household air pollution are better for residents’ health. Low-income households are more likely to be affected by household air pollution. This study emphasizes the consequence of the potential health effects on residents due to household air pollution from cooking fuels and the uneven distribution of those effects. It is recommended that such factors as household air pollution risks, health, and environmental fairness&justice should be considered in the policy formulation process.