Household fuel use and pulmonary tuberculosis in western Nepal: A case-control study

The unexpected finding of a higher risk for women using LPG cookstoves, relative to wood or biogas-burning cookstoves, may be attributable to excluding persons with prior TB. A possible explanation is that emissions, such as ultrafine particles, formed during LPG combustion promote PTB manifestation in infected people who have not previously had PTB. The damage from the initial PTB leaves them susceptible to the PTB-promoting effects of smoke from wood fires. Further studies, excluding participants who have previously had TB are needed to confirm these findings. Use of exhaust hoods to the outdoors for all stoves, well-ventilated kitchens, and gas stoves raised above ground would reduce exposures.