Kerosene: A Polluting Fuel Source?

Kerosene is a common source of fuel across Africa and other parts of the world. It is used for cooking, lighting, and heating. While it is a popular choice for many, the question of whether kerosene causes pollution and has negative health impacts has been a subject of discussion and research. Several studies have examined the effects of kerosene use on indoor air quality and human health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Kerosene combustion releases various pollutants, and its impact on pollution and health is an important consideration.

Kerosene lamps and indoor air pollution

Kerosene is a common source of fuel across Africa and other developing countries. It is often used in households where solid fuels such as biomass and coal are major energy sources. Kerosene is used for heating, cooking, and lighting. However, burning kerosene produces smoke and polluting gases, which are damaging to both human health and the environment.

Kerosene lamps, in particular, have been identified as an important target for reducing indoor air pollution and climate emissions. Kerosene lighting has been shown to contribute to household air pollution, especially in rural areas of developing countries such as Uganda. The use of kerosene lamps has been associated with increased levels of indoor particulate matter, specifically fine particles known as PM2.5, as well as black carbon and carbon monoxide. These pollutants are known to have significant health impacts, including an increased risk of chronic pulmonary disease, which is a leading cause of early death in developing countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set an interim target for 24-hour averaged PM2.5 exposure of 25 μg/m3, but even this level is not deemed safe for human health.

The negative health effects of kerosene lamps are exacerbated by the fact that the dull light they emit forces people to sit very close to the lamp, increasing their exposure to harmful pollutants. Young children are especially vulnerable to the health risks associated with indoor air pollution caused by burning kerosene. In addition to respiratory issues, kerosene lamps also pose a risk of burns and accidental poisoning, particularly in children.

To reduce the use of kerosene lamps and the associated indoor air pollution, alternative lighting sources such as solar power, electricity, and fluorescent bulbs or LEDs serviced by low-carbon grid-based electricity have been proposed. These alternatives offer a more cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally-friendly way to provide illumination, helping to improve human health, livelihoods, and mitigate climate change.

In summary, kerosene lamps are a significant contributor to indoor air pollution, with adverse effects on human health and the environment. Replacing kerosene lamps with more modern and efficient lighting solutions is crucial to reducing indoor air pollution and improving overall wellbeing.

Kerosene's contribution to global warming

Kerosene is a significant contributor to global warming. When burned, kerosene releases greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), black carbon (BC), and carbon monoxide, which are all climate warmers.

Kerosene is commonly used as a fuel in many parts of the world, particularly in Africa and South Asia, where it is burned for lighting, cooking, and heating. Kerosene-fueled wick lamps are often the sole source of illumination for studying or income-generating work after dark. To meet these lighting needs, households consume an estimated 4 to 25 billion liters of kerosene per year. In addition to lighting, kerosene is also used for cooking and heating, especially in countries where solid fuels such as biomass (wood, agricultural residues, and animal dung) and coal are major household energy sources.

The combustion of kerosene emits hundreds of compounds, many of which are harmful pollutants that can have detrimental effects on human health and the environment. The emissions from kerosene lamps are almost entirely BC and CO2, both of which contribute to global warming. Kerosene lamps are now understood to be a significant global source of atmospheric BC, a strong climate warmer. Almost one-tenth of the fuel burned in these lamps is converted to BC particles, which is a much higher proportion compared to diesel engines, for example.

The use of kerosene for lighting, cooking, and heating has been associated with various health problems, including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), low birth weight, cataracts, pneumonia, tuberculosis, asthma, heart disease, and strokes. The smoke and pollution released from burning kerosene are particularly damaging when burned indoors, trapping the pollution inside and causing indoor air pollution. The dull light from kerosene lamps also forces people to sit very close to the lamp, increasing the risk of these health problems.

To mitigate the contribution of kerosene to global warming, efforts are being made to replace kerosene lighting with electric lighting or other clean alternatives. Solar lighting, for example, has been proposed as a strategy to reduce indoor air pollution and provide a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option for lighting, especially in resource-limited settings. Replacing kerosene lighting with electric lighting can not only reduce climate warming but also achieve development and energy access goals, improve health outcomes, and reduce costs.

Kerosene ingestion and childhood poisoning

Kerosene is a common source of fuel across Africa, and it is also used in many developing countries. It is often burned indoors without proper ventilation, and the smoke and gases released during combustion are very damaging to human health. Worldwide, air pollution kills more people every year than HIV and Malaria combined, and burning fuels like kerosene causes 600,000 deaths a year in Africa alone. The pollution from kerosene can cause health problems such as asthma, cataracts, heart disease, strokes, lung disease, and lung cancer. Spending just a few hours with a kerosene lamp can cause as much damage to the lungs as smoking 40 cigarettes. Young children are particularly vulnerable to health problems caused by burning kerosene indoors.

Kerosene ingestion is a common cause of childhood poisoning in developing countries due to its common household use and unsafe storage practices. Kerosene is often stored in plastic bottles or milk jugs, and because it is a clear liquid, young children may mistake it for water. Other risk factors for kerosene oil poisoning in children include inadequate supervision, inadequate house space, low socioeconomic status, lack of maternal education, and lack of family support. The exploratory behaviour of children, coupled with improper domestic storage, also contributes to the high incidence of kerosene ingestion.

The physical and chemical properties of kerosene oil, such as low viscosity, low surface tension, and volatility, aid its easy spread into the distal airways and penetration deep into the tracheobronchial tree, causing maximum damage to the distal airways. The major toxicity of kerosene ingestion is pulmonary function impairment, and the most common complication is aspiration pneumonitis. Other symptoms of kerosene ingestion include fever, tachycardia, tachypnea, and respiratory distress. In severe cases, respiratory failure and death can occur. The treatment of aspiration pneumonitis includes oxygen support, respiratory monitoring, and careful monitoring of fluid balance.

To prevent kerosene oil poisoning in children, it is essential to practice safe storage by keeping kerosene out of the reach of children and using proper containers with clear labelling. Community education, provision of electricity in rural areas, and promoting the use of alternative cooking fuels, such as cooking gas, can also help reduce the risk of accidental ingestion.

Kerosene heaters and health-damaging pollutants

Kerosene heaters are a common source of fuel across Africa and in low- and middle-income countries. They are also used in rural parts of the United States, as evidenced by the existence of websites dedicated to providing kerosene heater safety information.

Kerosene heaters emit many potentially health-damaging pollutants. These include oxides of nitrogen, sulfur, and carbon, as well as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulphur dioxide. The emission of these pollutants is an extra reason to ensure adequate ventilation and a source of fresh, outside air when using a kerosene heater. Kerosene heaters could be especially hazardous in bedrooms, particularly when units designed to heat large spaces are used in small rooms. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has recommended strengthening voluntary safety standards by manufacturers and continued public education regarding the proper use of kerosene heaters.

The health problems caused by the indoor use of kerosene heaters include lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), low birth weight, cataracts, pneumonia, tuberculosis, asthma, heart disease, and strokes. Young children are particularly vulnerable to health problems caused by burning fuels indoors. The dull light from kerosene lamps forces people to sit very close to the lamp, increasing the risk of these health problems.

The hazards of kerosene heaters can be minimized or averted by carefully following the manufacturer's instructions for use and by adopting other common-sense safety measures. It is important to keep doors to other rooms open and to have a smoke detector and a fire extinguisher nearby. Kerosene heaters should be turned off before going to sleep, and it is better to use a central heating system while the family is sleeping.

Kerosene alternatives and their benefits

Kerosene is a common source of fuel, particularly in Africa and other developing countries. However, burning kerosene produces smoke and polluting gases, including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide. These emissions are very damaging to both human health and the environment, causing issues such as asthma, cataracts, heart disease, strokes, lung disease, and lung cancer.

Given the health and environmental risks associated with kerosene, several alternatives can be used instead. Here are some options:

Solar Power and Electricity

Solar power and electricity are the least polluting alternatives at the household level. Solar lighting, for instance, can help reduce indoor air pollution and kerosene use in areas with limited access to electricity.

Gaseous Fuels

Gaseous fuels, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and natural gas, are popular cooking fuels in most countries. They burn with higher combustion efficiency, resulting in fewer products of incomplete combustion compared to solid fuels.

Cleaner Lamp Oils

Cleaner-burning lamp oils, such as deodorized kerosene or hydrocarbon mixes, can be used instead of regular kerosene. However, these options may not be readily available in developing countries.

Eco-Friendly Degreasers

For industrial cleaning purposes, eco-friendly and non-toxic alternatives to kerosene include mineral spirits, white spirit, plant-based solvents (e.g., citrus-based or soy-based cleaners), and newer technologies like supercritical CO2 cleaning and ultrasonic cleaning. These options help reduce the use of hazardous chemicals and are safer for humans and the environment.

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