An illustrated map showing areas of the world where open fires are commonly used for cooking. Indoor air pollution is a significant cause of death in developing countries where open fires are used for cooking. Fuels such as wood, coal, crop residues and dung release harmful particles into the air as they burn. These particles can cause asthma, lung disease and pneumonia when regularly inhaled. Most deaths related to open fires occur in African and South Asian countries, particularly India, as well as Latin America and some Eastern European countries.