Use Of Firewood Research Articles

Cost-effective options to reduce emissions from residential firewood heating in south-central Chile

This study simulates various environmental regulation scenarios for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) caused by the massive use of firewood for residential heating. Specifically, an optimization model calibrated with microdata is proposed to minimize the total costs of meeting an aggregate emissions reduction target, considering all urban areas of central-southern Chile where an Atmospheric Decontamination Plan (PDA) has been implemented. The results show that the total compliance cost in each urban area with PDA grows at increasing rates when the targets are more demanding. The cost-effectiveness indicators vary between 1.1 and 1.8 thousand dollars for a target of 20 % but rise to values between 3.7 and 7.6 thousand dollars for a target of 99 %. The lower indicators are observed in areas with greater firewood consumption. The preferred options for households to replace their current firewood heaters are pellet heaters and hot/cold inverter air conditioning units. Surprisingly, thermal improvement on dwellings is not economically attractive. Finally, it is concluded that achieving reduction targets close to 80 % would be possible if only 56 % of households replace their firewood heaters based on the cost-effectiveness criteria, also obtaining co-benefits from lower black carbon and greenhouse gas emissions.

How Did Chinese Buddhists Incorporate Indian Metaphors? A Study of Lushan Huiyuan’s Use of Firewood–Fire Metaphors in the Shadow of Indian Canons

In the discourse of Lushan Huiyuan 廬山慧遠, the firewood–fire metaphor (xinghuozhiyu 薪火之喻) is employed to illustrate personhood (shen 神), referring to pudgala. Scholars often criticize Huiyuan for interpreting personhood as a true “self” (ātman) under the influence of the Vātsīputrīya school, thus contradicting the doctrine of non-self. This paper suggests that this might be a dual misunderstanding of both Huiyuan and the Vātsīputrīya school. Huiyuan’s firewood–fire metaphor is indeed profoundly influenced by the Vātsīputrīyas’ three kinds of designation. Yet, he never commits to the substantial self, and his argument primarily aims to refute the view of annihilationism (duanmie 斷滅), that is, that life ceases to exist after one period ends. This stance fully aligns with the doctrine of non-self that has been central since the inception of Buddhism. Additionally, Huiyuan’s explanation of the indestructibility of personhood (shen bumie 神不滅) is a reluctant proposition; its fundamental purpose does not lie in discussing transmigration, but rather in demonstrating the state of “body and mind both cease” following the cessation of causes and conditions once “transmigration ends”.

Slow burn: Weak energy transition in a growing economy

Despite impressive recent gains in income (now classified by the World Bank as a “high income country”), and access to alternative heating systems, Chileans continue to have amongst the highest levels of per-capita wood consumption in the world, with serious attendant health and environmental implications. In this paper, we estimate the income elasticity of the use of firewood as a primary residential heating system in Chilean households. Our estimate accounts for the country’s climatic, geographic, and socio-demographic variation; controls for multiple levels of fixed-effects and covariates; and accounts for selection—as some households choose no heating systems whatsoever. We find that an increase of income of 10% decreases the probability of firewood use by about one-tenth of a percentage point, a statistically significant but economically trivial effect. This result, consistent across various robustness checks, provides evidence for an extremely weak income-based energy transition in Chile. It implies that passive environmental policy, expecting a reduction of firewood use exclusively from income growth will fail. If the Chilean government’s aim is to lower the detrimental health and environmental outcomes associated with firewood use, they will have to adopt more aggressive approaches.

The Impact of Human Activities on Wildlife Conservation in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Human population growth in areas bordering protected areas is high and has become a serious threat to the management of wildlife all over Africa. Local communities around the protected areas conduct illegal activities that are destructive to habitats and threaten wildlife. This study explored the impact of the human population on large animals in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The study used quantitative and qualitative research methods, employing both closed and open-ended questionnaires from 125 respondents. The collected data were analysed using IBM and Microsoft Excel tools. The results showed that wildlife and livestock can share and drink water in the same area. Furthermore, the study established that an increase in livestock numbers has no negative effect on wildlife numbers, but an increase in human settlement (93.9%) consumed natural forest products as building materials, creating deforestation, while the use of firewood as a source of power (96.5%) has a great negative impact on wildlife and their habitat because of fragmentation of wildlife habitat within Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Thus, there is a need to manage population growth along the national conserved or protected areas to ensure the long-term existence of designated protected areas.

Evaluation of Interleukin 4, High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Activity of Alanine Transaminase Among Cooks in Nnewi

Soot arises from burning wood, oils, tires, and other hydrocarbon or organic compounds. Soot is widespread and has a massive detrimental effect on human health, climate, and air quality. The serum levels of Interleukin 4, High sensitivity C-reactive protein, and alanine transaminase activity were evaluated. This cross–sectional study recruited 90 participants consisting of 45 participants exposed to soot (test group) and 45 participants not exposed to soot (control group). The Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology Ethics Committee at Nnamdi Azikiwe University granted ethical approval, and participants’ informed consent was acquired. Interleukin 4 and high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were determined using the Sandwich ELISA method while the activity of alanine transaminase was determined using the spectrophotometric method. Questionnaires were used to obtain the socio-demographic data of the participants and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated using weight (kg)/height2 (m2). Independent t-test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were used for statistical analysis and significance was set at p<0.05. The results showed that the mean serum activity of alanine transaminase (9.30 ± 0.28) was significantly lower in the participants exposed to soot compared with the control (9.48 ± 0.37) (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the mean serum levels of Interleukin 4 and high sensitivity C-reactive protein of participants exposed to soot compared with the control (p>0.05). Hence, exposure to soot through the use of firewood did not predispose cooks to systemic inflammation, or cardiovascular and hepatic dysfunctions.
 Keywords: Soot, alanine transaminase, Interleukin 4, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, inflammation

Adaptive capability and socioecological traps: a bioenergy case in communities of Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico

BackgroundEnergy poverty, which is the deprivation of a series of energy services that satisfy human needs, affects over 2 billion individuals who rely on the combustion of biomass and other solid fuels to fulfill their energy needs. While certain communities address their energy shortfall by harnessing local natural resources, these alternatives fail to provide access to more advantageous and sustainable conditions, thus leading to what are commonly referred to as socioecological traps.ResultsThis research studies the relationships between the energy alternatives that two communities have developed, the bioenergy capability that would allow the system to access more desirable and sustainable states, and the costs and benefits that are perceived from this new use of their residues and resources. A quantitative methodology was employed by designing and applying a structured questionnaire applied to 207 households in two energy-poor communities in the municipality of Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico: San Agustín de los Tordos and El Comedero Grande. We have inferred that the alternatives generated by the communities function as socioecological traps. On the one hand, these options generate adverse effects on the health of people and the environment, while discouraging the construction of bioenergy capabilities; on the other hand, they allow them to cover some training costs, at least in the short term. These discoveries suggest that the system is currently in an advantageous phase of the cultivation of new capabilities.ConclusionsThe outcomes of this study contribute significantly to enhancing our comprehension of socioecological traps and capabilities within the realm of energy, thereby offering valuable insights for the effective management of successful bioenergy implementation initiatives. Moreover, these findings enable the development of frameworks for theoretical interpretation and methodological application within specific contexts, exemplified in our case by rural communities in Irapuato, Guanajuato Mexico. The holistic approach reveals that while individuals may have alternatives to fulfill their energy requirements, many of these alternatives can inadvertently become socioecological traps. For instance, the use of firewood as a short-term solution for household energy needs can generate adverse health and environmental consequences in the long run. In the light of these considerations, a study of their nature becomes imperative and relevant as it delves deeply into the intricate relationship between compensatory alternatives and capacities. Simultaneously, it scrutinizes the community’s perception of bioenergy in terms of costs and benefits, with the overarching goal of transitioning toward a sustainable energy system.

Impact of Land Use and Land Cover Change on Deforestation in the Central Taraba State: A Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing Analysis

Deforestation, the widespread clearance of forests for various land uses, has become a significant global environmental issue with far-reaching consequences. Deforestation in the study area was identified, categorized, assessed, and interpreted using Landsat 5, 7, and 8 from the years 2008, 2014, and 2020, respectively. A geographic information system (GIS) database of land use and land cover categories and their changes were created. The results showed that several anthropogenic human activities, including agriculture and wood harvesting, were driving a general retreat of the forest area. The study further shows that between 2008 and 2020, forest area decreased by 8.5% with an annual rate of 0.33%, other vegetative areas increased by 2% with an annual rate of 0.077%, and non-vegetative areas increased by 1.5% with an annual rate of 0.58%. The hotspot map shows that the rate at which the reserve is deteriorating and the conversion of the forest area to other vegetation and bare ground are only a matter of time. The study recommended that the government should adopt rigorous policies to protect forest reserves from unauthorized habitation by encouraging the use of alternative firewood fuel sources to reduce the pressure on the forest.

Determinants of asthma among adults in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: a facility-based case-control study.

Asthma is a public health concern affecting millions of productive age groups. Several studies were conducted on the determinants of asthma in children. However, little is known about the determinants of asthma among adults in Ethiopia. Understanding the determinants of asthma among adults can help reduce its burden. This study was aimed at identifying determinant factors for developing asthma among adults in Tigray hospitals. A facility-based, unmatched case-control study design was conducted from January 1 to April 26, 2019. A total of 698 participants (228 cases and 470 controls) completed their guided interviews using structured and pretested questionnaires by trained data collectors. A modified standard questionnaire from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey II (ECRHS II) was used to collect the data. The case definition was patients having asthma, and the control definition was patients without asthma. Data were entered and cleaned using Epi Data Manager Version 3.1 software and imported to statistical packages for social sciences Version 25 software for analysis. To identify asthma determinants, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted. The response rate for both cases and controls was 95.9%. The odds of developing asthma was nearly twice higher among those who resided in urban (AOR = 1.68; 95% CI [1.13-2.50]), more than twice higher among those who have income less than 1000 ETB (AOR = 2.3; 95% CI [1.17-4.56]), twice higher among those who had history of skin allergy (AOR = 2.09; 95% CI [1.14-3.86]), over four times higher among those with family history of asthma (AOR = 4.26; 95% CI [2.63-6.91]), three times higher among those having house dust or smoke exposure (AOR = 3.01; 95% CI [1.96-4.64]), over five times higher among those lifetime firewood users (AOR = 5.39; 95% CI [3.34-8.72]), door opening while cooking (AOR = 0.35; 95% CI [0.26-0.55]), nearly two times higher among those having house dampness (AOR = 1.98; 95% CI [1.069-3.68]), over seven times higher among pet owners (AOR = 7.46; 95% CI [4.04-13] and almost twice higher among those who were physically inactive (AOR = 1.75; 95% CI [1.11-2.85]). Asthma has been associated with urbanization, low income, a history of allergic diseases, indoor smoke or dust, firewood use, pet ownership, and a sedentary lifestyle. The community should be informed about the known risks and implement preventive steps like opening a door while cooking to lower the risk of asthma.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Analysis for the Strengthening of Solar Thermal Energy in Colombia

Colombia has made different efforts to contribute to fulfilling its international commitments to curb climate change by reducing emissions and promoting technological development and project financing. However, the existing policies and regulatory framework primarily focus on promoting the photovoltaic industry for electricity production. Likewise, the energy sector has neglected the potential of solar thermal energy as a heat source. In this sense, it is necessary to redouble efforts through new public policies that integrate solar thermal energy in the residential and productive sectors. Using solar thermal energy for heating can contribute to the energy transition and meet its sustainable development goals. Therefore, the main objective of this work was to analyze Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats to determine the potential application of thermal solar heat in Colombia while considering the local context. Factors such as their environmental conditions, policies, and regulations; the existence of international agreements; and their political status in general were analyzed. The analysis revealed Colombia’s significant solar heat potential, enabling over 1.3 million cold-climate households to access hot water or reduce firewood use. Industrially, applying solar heat in 5% of the current industry could decrease fossil fuel consumption by 13 PJ. The findings highlight that Colombia’s potential in thermal solar energy necessitates collaborative efforts, legislative reinforcement, climate-adaptive measures, and the resolution of political and social challenges.

Risks of oesophageal cancer in Zimbabwe: Eating habits and indoor air pollution from firewood smoke

Background: Oesophageal cancer is among the top five (5) cancers in Zimbabwe, and it has a high mortality rate. Several studies have alluded to the association between exposure to firewood smoke and this cancer. This study assessed the association between firewood smoke exposure, consumption of hot beverages, and food with oesophageal cancer among cancer patients in Zimbabwe. Methods: This study was quantitative in nature and adopted a cross-sectional design. A matched case-control approach with 95 pairs of cases and controls from Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals' Radiotherapy Centre, a major referral hospital in Zimbabwe was used. A total of 190 participants were interviewed using a questionnaire administered via telephone by trained interviewers. Secondary data using histology results and radiology reports were obtained from the patient's medical records. SPSS version 27 was used to perform the descriptive analysis for variables such as age, marital status, exposure to firewood smoke, and thermal burns. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine the relationship between oesophageal cancer and dependent variables. Results: The ratio of male to female OC cases was 1.4 to 1, with a mean age of 63 for males and 60 years for females. The OC was significantly associated with the usage of firewood smoke as a major source of cooking energy (OR: 2.961; 95 % CI 1.46 - 6.03) (AOR: 4.22; 95% CI 1.22 - 14.59) with a p - value of 0.043. Also, the OC was significantly associated with high consumption of sweet potatoes (OR: 3.26; 95 % CI:1.67 - 6.55) (AOR: 3.47; 95% CI: 1.07 - 11.23) with a p - value of 0.001. The co-usage of the kitchen as a dining room was associated with OC (OR: 2.65; 95% CI: 1.44 - 4.88), no association was found (AOR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.34 - 2.72) after adjusting for confounders. Risk factors such as age, alcohol intake, smoking, HIV status, and marital status were not associated with OC. Conclusion: The use of firewood for cooking and the consumption of sweet potatoes are the major contributors to OC among Zimbabweans. Awareness of the eating habits of sweet potatoes and using the kitchen as a dining area could significantly reduce cases of OC among Zimbabweans.

Using Cheaper Firewood and Paying Higher Treatment Costs in a Rural Community

Health problem related to respiratory diseases is acute particularly in rural communities where firewood and agricultural residues are used as primary fuel. The use of inefficient traditional cookstoves in poorly ventilated rooms causes high levels of household air pollution, and also contributes to ambient air pollution. Household air pollution causes significant chronic health problems such as Asthma, COPD and Heart diseases, eye pain, head, and back pain as common diseases. This study aims to investigate factor affecting human health by using firewood in inefficient stoves and estimates the associated household health costs. A field survey was administered in 3 municipalities from two districts; Sindhuli and Kavrepalanchowk districts in between the years 2019 and 2020. A survey was carried out among 221 households. To gain deeper insights, we employed a cross-sectional analytical study, utilizing primary data and applying a multiple linear regression model. The findings show that there is a positive and significant relationship between health treatment cost and firewood use. This study recommends that cook stoves programmes should not be seen as only a means to reduce deforestation and time savings, but also need to be seen from health aspects in the rural households.

Use of firewood for artisanal ceramic production in a context of forest scarcity in Northeastern Brazil

In this study, we sought to examine firewood use patterns in artisanal ceramic production by a quilombola community in the context of forest scarcity in Northeastern Brazil. This article aimed to answer the following questions: (1) Is the firing of ceramic products related to the perceived quality, diversity, or plant part used as firewood? (2) Does the diversity of plants used as firewood vary according to the age and gender of artisan potters? (3) What are the physical and energetic properties of the species most commonly used as firewood? Our main findings were that resource availability and accessibility seem to be the determining factors of firewood use. Exotic species were widely used. Variables commonly described as predictors of firewood diversity, such as age and gender, were not relevant in the context of forest scarcity. The most used exotic species have good physicochemical properties and can be a viable alternative to meet the firewood demand of ceramic production. However, the results showed that these species are more readily available to potters who have access to private woodlands. Therefore, in the studied context, we suggest the need for conservation strategies that foster the creation of energy forests composed of exotic species and, in parallel, promote conservation and reforestation actions aimed at native species.

Analyzing energy poverty and carbon emissions in a social housing complex due to changes in thermal standards

Energy Poverty (EP) is a problem that affects low-income families who struggle to afford maintaining comfortable thermal conditions in their homes. This issue contradicts the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to promoting good health and well-being (SDG 3), reducing pollution (SDG 13), and eradicating poverty in all its forms (SDG 1). In this context, this study aims to examine the potential impact of changes in thermal regulations on EP and carbon emissions in a Chilean social housing complex. Unlike previous research that relies on aggregate statistical data at the national level, this study adopts a micro-scale approach, analyzing EP variables at the level of individual households. Semi-structured questionnaire surveys were conducted, and the Ten Percent Rule Index (TPRI) was used to measure EP, while energy use was assessed to estimate carbon emissions. The findings reveal that the social housing complex is experiencing EP, primarily due to factors such as unaffordability, low energy-efficient homes, lack of energy literacy, and the use of firewood as a primary energy source, resulting in a TPR of 14.5 %. However, retrofitting to meet the latest proposed thermal standards can significantly reduce EP, with up to 22 % of households moving away from EP, and lead to a substantial reduction of up to 55 % in total carbon emissions. The study highlights the effectiveness of using the TPRI to evaluate EP and provides insights to better understand how housing retrofitting programs in developing countries may promote sustainability and inclusivity while reducing EP.

Contamination and persistence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in rice grains after drying in direct-fired dryer.

The objective of this work was to study PAHs contamination in rice grains subjected to different milling types, after drying at different air temperatures in a direct-fired dryer and using firewood with different moisture contents as a heating source. In addition to verifying the persistence of these compounds after storage. Drying of rice grains was performed in a cross-flow dryer at air temperatures of 55 and 65ºC. As heating source firewood containing different moisture contents was used. The presence of nine PAHs was detected. The drying air temperature, as well as the storage time, did not significantly influence the PAHs contamination of grains. The highest PAHs contamination was observed in grains from the brown subgroup. Grain polishing promoted a reduction in the PAH concentration. The grains subjected to parboilization showed a higher PAHs concentration. The use of firewood with higher moisture content promoted greater PAHs contamination in the grains.

Screening and early diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a population study

Background and objectiveAlthough chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease leading to further morbidity and significant mortality, there is still limited data on screening for COPD. The purpose of this study was to establish an early chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) screening system for the community and hospitals in Nanshan District in Shenzhen City, to improve the rate of early diagnosis and treatment of patients with COPD.MethodsWe identified individuals at high risk of COPD using a questionnaire survey and analyzed the relevant influencing factors in the early stages of COPD in high-risk groups.ResultsWe collected a total of 5,000 COPD screening questionnaires, and a total of 449 patients were diagnosed with COPD by pulmonary function examination. The prevalence of COPD in people aged 20 and above in Nanshan District of Shenzhen City was estimated to be 8.98%, with a base of 5000. The severity classification as per the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria was as follows: GOLD I accounted for 34.74%; GOLD II accounted for 37.64%; GOLD III accounted for 16.04%; and GOLD IV accounted for 11.58%. Common features of early COPD that we identified were: (1) patients were mainly males, accounting for 68.0%; (2) COPD was common among people aged 50–59 years, comprising 31%; (3) 96.0% of patients often had severe respiratory symptoms and had frequent coughs when they did not have a cold; (4) 57.2% of patients experienced shortness of breath when walking quickly on level ground or climbing gentle slopes; (5) 72.6% of patients had a family history of bronchial asthma and COPD. Multivariate ordinal multi-classification logistic regression showed that gender, age, shortness of breath, and the use of firewood, grass, and coal stoves were all influencing factors in pulmonary function grading.ConclusionA screening questionnaire combined with a pulmonary function test should be adopted as a COPD screening strategy to be implemented at the primary level as a public health priority in China to reduce the incidence, disability, and mortality from COPD.

Health effects of PM2.5 emissions from woodstoves and fireplaces in living spaces

Increased exposure to airborne fine particle pollution (PM2.5) can result in decreased life expectancy (DLE). However, while wood-burning in woodstoves and fireplaces for domestic space heating is a major source of indoor and outdoor PM2.5, the emission factor of PM2.5 into the occupied space was unknown for use periods of 3–4 h, as was the resulting DLE. This paper presents a three-phase analysis of the DLE due to the use of firewood for indoor residential space heating. The first phase was a measurement study of the emission of PM2.5 from wood-burning equipment, namely woodstoves and fireplaces, into the occupied space. The second phase used building thermal and airflow simulation to estimate the increased exposure to PM2.5 due to the use of wood-burning equipment. The third phase used existing correlations to predict the DLE due to domestic wood-burning. Results show that fireplaces emit 58.0 mg of PM2.5 per kg of firewood, standard woodstoves emit 21.6 mg/kg, and woodstoves with a dedicated outside air admission channel emit 1.4 mg/kg. Consequently, using a fireplace to supply a living room's heating load for 4 h/day during the evening could shorten life expectancy by 1–1.6 years, while a woodstove that is used during the same period to supply the heating needs of a single-family townhouse building could reduce overall life expectancy by up to half a year. The woodstove with outdoor air admission drastically restricted the emission of PM2.5 into the occupied space, resulting in negligible impacts on occupant life expectancy.

The monetary value of convenience and environmental features in residential heat energy consumption, in particular its social determinants

Environmental and comfort value of renewable energy sources is a less studied area. The article introduce the economic value of these characteristics, related to social determinants. The data basis is representative of the Hungarian population above 18 years of age, by gender, age and level of education. Our model estimation was developed by hybrid choice context in latent class modelling. In addition to the usual WTP (willingness to pay) calculation, we also used WTI (willingness to invest) calculations. The results show that the value of environmentally-friendly nature in Hungary exceeds the convenience factor. The latter cannot be significantly detected for the majority of the Hungarian population. This statement is supported by results for both fuels and boilers. Our findings show the strong attachment of the Hungarian average person to the use of firewood and natural gas, which are very typical in Hungarian heat consumption. Regarding socially selected consumer groups, strong correlation can be observed between social capital supply, income level, access to information and environmental awareness in Hungary. Regarding policy implications, our results in development of clusters may be useful for the establishment of a selective support policy and two clearly identifiable groups should be highlighted in the energy policy.

Use of firewood in an indigenous community from the Sierra Norte de Puebla: a gender perspective on the access to natural resources

Objective: To analyze several key elements in order to understand the rights of use, access, and ownership of natural resources, based on the social roles assigned to each gender in the community of Reyeshogpan, Puebla, Mexico. Design/Methodology/Approach: A participant observation methodology was used, complemented by the application of 24 semi-structured interviews in local households. Results: The surface ranges of the plots are 0.25 ± 3.0 ha. Out of all the interviewees, 40.79% own less than 0.5 ha, which is not enough to cover their annual energy needs (10,752 m3 per household). Therefore, they rent and loan their land, as well as purchase of firewood. Regarding the access to land category, 82.14% is owned by men and 17.86% by women. However, this percentage of female holders does not imply that they can exercise their rights as owners, because the land is generally administered by men. This situation confirms that the access to land influences the availability of firewood and its energy use. Study Limitations/Implications: The information provided by the interviewees was the basis for the analysis of the use and amount of firewood used by households; however, the interviewees may have underestimated or overestimated the amounts. Findings/Conclusions: In the Reyeshogpan community, the gathering of firewood is carried out according to gender, based on the physical differences between men and women. Tasks specifically assigned to men are related to their physical strength, while the tasks performed by women are considered complementary and are not given any economic value.

Solar Resource and Energy Demand for Autonomous Solar Cooking Photovoltaic Systems in Kenya and Rwanda

The challenges associated with traditional cooking methods in African countries, particularly the use of firewood and charcoal, which have negative impacts on the environment, health and human and economic development and safety, are addressed in this work. Given the high annual solar irradiation on the African continent, photovoltaic-powered electric cooking alternatives, such as electric pressure cookers (EPCs), are identified as a potential efficient, clean and affordable cooking solution. This work focuses on the potential of standalone solar electric cookers for use in rural African locations, namely, if this type of solution can satisfy cooking demand. Surveys and experimental data from several households in two different countries (Rwanda and Kenya) were collected. Specifically, the researchers performed a survey regarding cooking habits and an experimental campaign to determine real energy consumption profiles of EPCs. The main results are analyzed and discussed in this work. An assessment of the solar power capability to directly supply the EPCs’ energy demand, as determined from the experimental data, is performed. The findings indicate that, for the most commonly prepared food types, using EPCs saves considerable time in comparison with traditional cooking methods. In Rwanda, time savings range from 55% to 84%, while in Kenya, the time saved varies from 9% to 64%. Results show that, even for scenarios with high installed solar capacity, storage solutions are required to enable the PV-powered EPC system to supply more than 50% of meal demand.

Risk assessment of sediment PAH, BTEX, and emerging contaminants in Chanomi Creek Niger Delta, Nigeria.

This study assessed the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX), and emerging contaminants in Chanomi Creek. Sediment samples were collected between March 2019 and July 2020 to evaluate the concentrations of PAH, BTEX, and emerging contaminants using GC-MS and GC-FID with Headspace extraction. Results indicated mean PAH concentrations were 22.691 ± 15.09µg/kg. The highest individual PAH concentrations were fluorene (7.085µg/kg), naphthalene (4.517µg/kg), and phenanthrene (3.081µg/kg). Carbazole (0.828µg/kg) was discovered as a novel environmental toxin with dioxin-like toxicity and widespread prevalence in sediments. The most common congener (25%) was ethylbenzene, followed by toluene and ortho- and meta-xylene (21%) and benzene (13%). The analysis of diagnostic ratios revealed that the main factors responsible for the presence of PAHs in the study area are the residential use of firewood, emissions from industrial activities, bush burning, and petroleum slicks. The risk assessment indicated that most PAHs exceeded the permissible risk quotient values, suggesting a moderate to high ecological risk. However, cutaneous exposure to PAHs and BTEX was found to have minimal impact on human health, with no significant hazards identified in adults and children. Nevertheless, the study revealed low cancer risks associated with PAH and BTEX compounds for both age groups. The continued discharge of PAHs and BTEX compounds into Chanomi Creek could have significant long-term negative effects on human and aquatic health. Thus, contamination risk awareness programs and the development of stringent contextual thresholds for identified contaminants could enhance environmental and public health protection.