Sri Lanka, Nov. 5 -- Burning plastic materials along with firewood in household cooking areas can release chemicals that are extremely harmful to the lungs, Consultant Community Physician and Head of the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), Dr. Hasarali Fernando, warned.

She said indoor air pollution caused by the burning of firewood was a concern, particularly when people used plastic materials to help firewood catch fire.

"We cannot simply tell people not to use firewood. However, there is no issue with setting up a wood-burning stove in a well-ventilated area, as ventilation allows the smoke to escape outside," she said.

Dr. Fernando explained that because firewood did not catch fire easily, some people used plastic pieces, pl...