Women and children suffer most from exposure to coal smoke

The burning of coal and of biomass fuels such as wood, straw, and cow dung in conditions of poor ventilation increases the risk of lung cancer, a report from the International Agency for Research of Cancer concludes.

The agency's report, from a meeting in October of 19 scientists from eight countries, says that frying at high temperatures—including stir frying, deep frying, and pan frying—also increases the risk of the disease, regardless of the type of cooking …