Chinese chimneys slash lung cancer risk

People who replace rudimentary domestic hearths with well-ventilated stoves enjoy both less-smoky homes and a dramatic reduction in their risk of developing lung cancer, according to a study conducted in rural China. The finding suggests that improvements to the cooking equipment used in poor countries could lessen lung cancer incidence.

Extremely smoky dwellings are common in the world’s underdeveloped regions, such as China’s damp and hilly Xuanwei County, where open fire pits traditionally provided heat for cooking and warmth.