Assessment of household air pollution in Kosovo[‎1]‎

vii, 25 p., This report supports activities currently underway to reduce the burden of environment-related disease on the health of the population of Kosovo[‎1]‎ and create a more resilient society in the face of environmental health challenges. It includes a situational assessment and a household survey. The situational assessment provides an overview of the air quality in Kosovo[‎1]‎, taking socioeconomic and health aspects into account. The household survey explores the energy sources in Kosovo[‎1]‎, their impact on society, the extent of access to electricity, and the types of fuels and technologies used for cooking and heating. The results of the survey demonstrate a robust correlation between using wood for heating and elevated health concerns. The devices and energy sources used for both heating and cooking in households contribute considerably to household air pollution (‎HAP)‎ and negatively affect the health of the population. There are considerable differences between the preferences of rural and urban dwellers regarding cooking devices and preferred energy sources, as well as gender disparities in the context of exposure to HAP. Public-awareness campaigns are needed to reduce HAP, including that caused by environmental tobacco smoke. [‎1]‎ All references to Kosovo in this document should be understood to be in the context of the United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (‎1999)‎.