Lungs surrounded by smoky air inside a home. A person trying to protect their lungs.

Breathe Easier: How to Protect Your Lungs from Indoor Air Pollution After TB

Avery Sinclair in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Chronic cough got you down? Discover the surprising link between household air pollution and lasting lung issues after tuberculosis, and learn what you can do to improve your respiratory health."

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a major global health concern, with millions of new cases reported each year. While effective treatments exist, many TB survivors face long-term respiratory complications that can significantly impact their quality of life. A recent study sheds light on a surprising and often overlooked factor contributing to these complications: household air pollution (HAP).

In many parts of the world, particularly in low-resource settings, people rely on biomass fuels like wood and kerosene for cooking and heating. Burning these fuels indoors releases harmful pollutants into the air, creating a toxic environment that can damage the lungs. TB survivors, whose lungs may already be compromised, are especially vulnerable to the adverse effects of HAP.

This article explores the link between HAP and chronic respiratory symptoms in TB survivors, drawing on findings from a study conducted in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We'll delve into the risks, examine the impact on women, and provide practical strategies for reducing your exposure to indoor air pollution and protecting your lung health.

Unveiling the Connection: Household Air Pollution and Chronic Cough

Lungs surrounded by smoky air inside a home. A person trying to protect their lungs.

The study, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, focused on a population of TB survivors in rural Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Researchers found a significant association between exposure to HAP and chronic cough, a persistent cough lasting for four weeks or more. This connection was particularly pronounced among women.

Why are women more susceptible? The study suggests a few key reasons:

Time Spent Cooking: Women in many cultures spend more time in the kitchen, often cooking over open fires or inefficient stoves that generate high levels of HAP.
Biological Factors: Hormonal differences and biological factors may make women's respiratory systems more vulnerable to the damaging effects of pollutants.
Socioeconomic Factors: Women in low-resource settings may have less access to cleaner cooking technologies and well-ventilated kitchens.

While the study didn't find a direct link between HAP and hemoptysis (coughing up blood), it did highlight the importance of proper TB treatment and follow-up care in preventing this complication. Hemoptysis was more common among those who had undergone retreatment for TB or were unaware of their treatment outcomes.

Taking Action: Protecting Your Lungs from Indoor Air Pollution

The study underscores the urgent need for interventions to reduce HAP exposure, especially in TB-affected communities. Here are some practical steps you can take to protect your lungs:

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3390/ijerph15112563, Alternate LINK

Title: Household Air Pollution Is Associated With Chronic Cough But Not Hemoptysis After Completion Of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Treatment In Adults, Rural Eastern Democratic Republic Of Congo

Subject: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Publisher: MDPI AG

Authors: Patrick Katoto, Aime Murhula, Tony Kayembe-Kitenge, Herve Lawin, Bertin Bisimwa, Jean Cirhambiza, Eric Musafiri, Freddy Birembano, Zacharie Kashongwe, Bruce Kirenga, Sayoki Mfinanga, Kevin Mortimer, Patrick De Boever, Tim Nawrot, Jean Nachega, Benoit Nemery

Published: 2018-11-15

Everything You Need To Know

What is the surprising link between Household Air Pollution (HAP) and chronic cough experienced by Tuberculosis (TB) survivors?

The article highlights a significant association between exposure to Household Air Pollution (HAP) and chronic cough in Tuberculosis (TB) survivors. The study, conducted in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), revealed that individuals, particularly women, exposed to HAP were more likely to experience a persistent cough lasting four weeks or more. This link underscores the detrimental impact of indoor air pollutants on the respiratory health of those who have already suffered from TB.

Why are Tuberculosis (TB) survivors, especially women, more vulnerable to the effects of Household Air Pollution (HAP) as indicated by the study?

The study suggests several reasons why Tuberculosis (TB) survivors, particularly women, are more susceptible to the adverse effects of Household Air Pollution (HAP). These include the increased time women spend cooking over open fires or inefficient stoves, leading to greater exposure to pollutants. Biological factors, such as hormonal differences, may also contribute to increased vulnerability. Furthermore, socioeconomic factors, like limited access to cleaner cooking technologies and well-ventilated kitchens, exacerbate the problem for women in low-resource settings.

How does Household Air Pollution (HAP) exposure impact the health of Tuberculosis (TB) survivors, and what are the primary risks?

Exposure to Household Air Pollution (HAP) significantly impacts the respiratory health of Tuberculosis (TB) survivors. The primary risk highlighted by the study is the increased likelihood of chronic cough, a persistent cough lasting four weeks or more. This chronic cough can severely affect the quality of life. The study emphasizes that HAP exposure creates a toxic environment that can damage the lungs of TB survivors, whose respiratory systems may already be compromised due to the effects of Tuberculosis.

What practical steps can Tuberculosis (TB) survivors take to reduce their exposure to Household Air Pollution (HAP) and protect their lungs?

While the article doesn't provide specific practical steps, it underscores the urgent need for interventions to reduce exposure to Household Air Pollution (HAP), especially in communities affected by Tuberculosis (TB). This implies the use of cleaner cooking methods, improving ventilation, and other relevant measures. However, it does not go into detail of the practical steps.

Besides chronic cough, what other respiratory complications are linked to Tuberculosis (TB), and how is this related to HAP exposure?

The study, while focusing on chronic cough, highlights that proper Tuberculosis (TB) treatment and follow-up care are essential to prevent complications like hemoptysis (coughing up blood). Hemoptysis was found to be more common among those who had undergone retreatment for TB or were unaware of their treatment outcomes. While the study does not establish a direct link between HAP and hemoptysis, it emphasizes the importance of addressing all factors that can compromise the respiratory health of TB survivors, and the role of HAP as one of those factors.