Immune cells and cardiovascular health in premenopausal women of rural India chronically exposed to biomass smoke during daily household cooking

► Effect of chronic biomass smoke exposure on immunological profile was investigated. ► Marked suppression in the total number of T-helper (CD4+) cells and B (CD19+) cells was observed. ► Appreciable rise was documented in the number of CD8+ T-cytotoxic cells, Treg cells and CD16+CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells. ► Immunological profile changed with the type of biomass fuel used for the cooking and with kitchen location.