LPG cooking and improved kitchen ventilation to lower household air pollution and protect heart and lungs

Effects of Liquefied Petroleum Gas and Ventilation Interventions on Reducing Household Air Pollution From Solid Fuel Use and Improving Cardiopulmonary Health: A Multi-center, 2×2 Factorial Randomized Controlled Trial

This trial will test whether switching from solid fuels to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), adding kitchen ventilation, or both can lower household air pollution and improve heart and lung health for adults who cook regularly.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 1200 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 75 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Huazhong University of Science and Technology (other)
• Locations: 3 sites (Zhumadian, Henan and 2 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT07005193 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults who do most of the household cooking in selected rural counties of China will be randomized to one of four arms: continue using solid fuels with no ventilation, receive improved ventilation only, receive LPG only, or receive both LPG and improved ventilation. The study will measure indoor air pollution levels, a range of cardiopulmonary health indicators, clinical events, and the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of the interventions over the intervention period. Secondary household members (older adults and young children) will also be followed for exposure and health outcomes. The trial is conducted at county health centers in Henan, Hubei, and Hunan provinces and emphasizes households with kitchens suitable for ventilation installation and regular cooking frequency.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal participants are local adults aged 18–75 who do most household cooking (≥5 times/week), live in homes suitable for ventilation installation in the listed counties, and do not have major chronic diseases or plans to relocate in the next year.

Not a fit: People with preexisting severe respiratory or cardiovascular disease, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or households already using clean fuels and effective ventilation are unlikely to gain benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the interventions could substantially reduce household air pollution exposure and lower respiratory and cardiovascular risk in affected households.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that cleaner fuels and better ventilation can reduce household air pollution and improve respiratory outcomes, but randomized evidence on combined interventions and effects on cardiovascular clinical events is limited.

Eligibility criteria

1. Inclusion Criteria Primary Participants：

   * Aged 18-75 years;
   * Local permanent residents with no plans for long-term travel or relocation within one year;
   * Kitchen suitable for installation of ventilation facilities;
   * Responsible for daily household cooking, cooking ≥5 times per week;
   * To control for community penetration of pollution, households will be preferentially recruited in naturally ventilated, open villages, avoiding valleys or basins that hinder pollutant dispersion; preference for detached houses with ≥10 m distance from neighboring kitchens and well-sealed doors and windows.

   Secondary Participants:
   * Elderly individuals aged 65-75 living with the primary participant;
   * Children aged 3-6 living in the same household.
2. Exclusion Criteria:

   * Clinical diagnosis of major chronic diseases such as severe respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, malignant tumors, or end-stage renal disease;
   * Pregnant or breastfeeding women;
   * Current smokers or individuals with self-reported exposure to productive dust or other occupational hazards;
   * Individuals who are unable to fully understand the study process or clearly express their own complaints, such as those with psychiatric disorders or severe neuroses, or who cannot cooperate with the study for other reasons.

Where this trial is running

Zhumadian, Henan and 2 other locations

• Suiping County Health Center — Zhumadian, Henan, China (NOT_YET_RECRUITING)
• Hong'an County Health Center — Huanggang, Hubei, China (RECRUITING)
• Longhui County Health Center — Shaoyang, Hunan, China (NOT_YET_RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Kuai Yu — Huazhong University of Science and Technology
• Study coordinator: Kuai Yu

Conditions: Cardiopulmonary Function, Environmental Exposures