Household Air Pollution and Respiratory Health in Rural Crete, Greece: A Cross-Sectional FRESH AIR Study

Breathing polluted air is a risk to respiratory conditions. During the Greek financial crisis, use of household fireplaces/wood stoves shifted from mostly decorative actual domestic heating, resulting in increased indoor smoke production. We aimed evaluate pollution (HAP), fuel and symptoms rural Crete, Greece. PM2.5 CO were measured 32 purposively selected households (cross-sectional study) at periods reflecting lesser (baseline) versus extensive (follow-up) heating. Clinical outcomes assessed using questionnaires. Mean not significantly different between measurements (36.34 µg/m3 vs. 54.38 µg/m3, p = 0.60) but exceeded WHO quality guidelines. maximal levels below cut-offs (0.56 ppm 0.34 ppm, 0.414 26.1 9.72 0.007, respectively). In total, 90.6% wood or fireplaces for half also owned clean devices. The differences devices that those used attributed reasons. both cases, most frequent phlegm (27.3% 15.2%; 0.34) cough (24.2% 12.1%; 0.22). Our findings demonstrate magnitude HAP confirm return harmful practices during Greece’s austerity. Upon validation, these results can support strategies fighting poverty, empowering communities strengthening local health systems.