Clean Cooking for Healthy Living: An Assessment of Occupational and Environmental Health Impacts in Cross River State, Nigeria

Traditional biomass cooking remains widespread in Nigeria, particularly in rural and peri-urban communities, contributing to indoor air pollution, adverse health outcomes, and environmental degradation. This study examines the occupational and environmental health implications of cooking practices in three LGAs of Cross River State (Boki, Obubra, and Akpabuyo) using household surveys, air quality monitoring, and focus group discussions. Results show a strong correlation between biomass use and respiratory illnesses, eye irritation, and heat stress, especially among women and children. The environmental burden of fuelwood harvesting, including forest degradation and biodiversity loss, was also evident. The study evaluates the adoption of clean cooking technologies, such as improved stoves and LPG, and identifies key barriers to uptake. It recommends policy support, awareness campaigns, and inclusive financing to promote equitable access. Transitioning to clean cooking is not only a public health priority but also a pathway to achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria.