Kerosene For Lighting Research Articles

Quantifying the air quality, climate and equity implications of India's household energy transition

Economic growth, urbanization and changes in lifestyles are leading to a transition from traditional fuels to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and electricity in Indian households. We use National Sample Survey data – 43rd (1987–88) and 68th (2011−12) rounds – to show that contrary to concerns about rising greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from fossil-fuel use, switching to LPG and electricity provides health and climate benefits, if non-Kyoto emissions are considered. Our modelled household energy transition scenarios (2011–2030) show that: one, adoption of LPG by 2030 in Business-As-Usual (BAU) projections results in 80% of urban India meeting the World Health Organization's (WHO) indoor PM 2.5 guidelines. In rural households, persistent use of firewood does not significantly improve indoor air quality across the income spectrum. Two, BAU scenario projects only a 3% rise in rural GHG emissions by 2030, driven by a transition away from kerosene lighting in spite of rising electricity consumption. Three, a complete transition to LPG and electricity by 2030 reduces PM 2.5 exposure to below WHO guidelines across all urban and rural households. This is not achieved in the other partial transition scenarios. Four, across scenarios improving coal-based power plant efficiency to 40% and increasing renewables' share to 40% lead to a decrease of 14–18% in GHG emissions by 2030 relative to 2011. Finally, improved biomass cookstoves can reduce indoor exposure by 75–86% but not below the WHO guideline, and result in higher GHG emissions compared to LPG replacement due to non-Kyoto emissions from burning firewood.

Environmental and Financial Benefits of Improved Cookstove Technologies in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia

This study assessed the potential contributions of improved cookstoves in enhancing organic fertilizer availability for application to farmland, greenhouse gas emission mitigation and improvement of household finances using the Kitchen Performance Test and Controlled Cooking Test. Substitution of a three-stone open fire with improved cookstoves significantly (p<0.01) improved fuel use efficiency by 54% (highest) for the mirt stove together with biogas and 32% (lowest) for the mud stove without biogas. The greenhouse gas emission reductions in carbon dioxide equivalents were 4534(±32) kg y -1 , 6370(±42) kg y -1 , 6953(±51) kg y -1 , 7661(±43) kg y -1 for the mud stove, mirt stove, mud stove with biogas and mirt stove with biogas respectively. The average financial savings from the sale of surplus biomass fuel for the improved cookstoves were higher than the summed financial savings from substitution of commercial fertilizer, generation of carbon finance and replacement of kerosene for lighting. This explains why households usually prefer to sell surplus biomass fuels instead of using them as organic fertilizers. This finding suggests that wide scale adoption of fuel-efficient solid biomass stoves can contribute to the financial security of households, and may help to reduce deforestation, but will do little to increase the fertility of soils. By contrast, including biogas stoves will help to improve soil fertility by retaining at least some of the carbon and nutrients in bioslurry that will then be applied to the soil.

Adoption and consequences of new light-fishing technology (LEDs) on Lake Tanganyika, East Africa.

Maintaining sustainable fisheries requires understanding the influence of technological advances on catch efficiency, as technological creep can ultimately contribute to increased efficiency. Fisheries using light sources for attraction could be widely impacted by the shift to light emitting diode (LED) light systems. We studied the transition from kerosene lanterns to LED lamps in Lake Tanganyika, East Africa, examining factors that led to adoption as well as the impact of the new light sources on fish catch and composition. We used a combination of field experiments with catch assessments, fisher surveys, underwater light spectra measurements, and cost assessments to evaluate the impact of switching from kerosene to LED lamps. Overall, we found a very rapid rate of adoption of homemade outdoor LED light systems in Lake Tanganyika. Most of the batteries used to power these lamps were charged from the city power grid, rather than photovoltaic cells, although the potential exists for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The LED light spectra was distinct from the kerosene light and penetrated much deeper into the water column. Regardless of light type, most of the fish caught within the two dominant species were below maturity. Although the LED lamps were associated with a slight increase in catch, environmental factors, particularly distance offshore, were generally more important in determining fish catch size and composition. The main advantages of the LED lamps were the lower operating costs and their robustness in bad weather. Thus, the primary effect of the use of battery-powered LED lighting systems to attract fish in Lake Tanganyika appears to reduce economic costs and increasing efficiency. However, overall the lake’s fishery remains vulnerable to overfishing.

Effects of Renewable Energy and Accessibility on Household’s Fuel Choices: A Case Study in Kenya

Regardless of the efforts to encourage the use of renewable energy sources such as solar and biogas in developing countries, their adoption and use is still low especially in Kenya. The purpose of this research was to investigate effects of renewable energy and accessibility on household fuel choices in Kenya among households in rural and peri-urban areas. Random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 199 households in the county of Uasin Gishu. Data for the study were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using different quantitative and qualitative statistical procedures and methods. Analysis reveals that rural households are still dependent largely on kerosene and electricity for lighting their houses and majorly firewood for cooking, while electricity and charcoal form a major source of energy for lighting and cooking in peri-urban households respectively. A small portion of households in rural (11.6%) and peri-urban (12.9%) use biogas energy for cooking. The results also shows negative association between the use of renewable energy and the use of conventional household energy sources for cooking (firewood, kerosene and charcoal) and lighting (kerosene) implying reduction in deforestation, indoor pollution and dependency on imported fuels. Further, it was found that there is positive association between accessibility and the type of fuel used at household level for cooking indicating that nearness to diverse supplying shops selling fuel is positively associated with household energy changing behaviour. The effects of renewable energy will reduce the use of conventional fuels and household’s energy diversification while accessibility on the other hand increases household fuel choices. The finding offers insights that could increase the uptake of renewable energy and reduce the problems associated with traditional fuels. Keywords: Household energy, renewable energy, accessibility, cooking and lighting DOI : 10.7176/JETP/9-7-04 Publication date :October 31 st 2019

Are Carbon Taxes Regressive in India? Evidence from NSSO Data

Carbon tax, being less costly in achieving a given abatement target, has been highly recommended by economists and international organisations. However, distributional concerns against the carbon tax has been a matter of concern in the domain of public policy. This article tries to analyse the distributional impact of Carbon tax in India by using National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) data. The results of the study indicate that carbon pricing seems to hit the lower-expenditure households by a greater proportion than the rich elites. The severity was found to be greater for the rural households than the urban households. Strong regressivity was found in the energy use for cooking and lighting. However, for transportation, the results indicate mild progressivity. Among the various energy fuels, households using coal, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), kerosene, firewood and dung cake for cooking and lighting were found to be hit hard by carbon pricing. In contrast, electricity consumption was found to be distributionally neutral. Petrol and diesel use for transportation were found to be progressive. The study advocates that regressivity of carbon tax should be taken into account by way of targeted revenue recycling measures like lump-sum transfers among poor households and cut in other distortionary taxes.

Energy, Environment, and Social Development: What If You Had No Modern Energy? The Realities of Solving Energy Poverty

President's column Hurricane Harvey gave many SPE members in Houston at least a few days’ experience of life without electricity. Most of us find it hard to imagine what life would be like without the access to energy that we take for granted—the flip of a light switch, heating something in the microwave, or climate control in our homes. Yet nearly 1 billion people on our planet go through their days without electric lights, refrigeration, heating/cooling, clean fuel for cooking food indoors, and more. Those who rely on wood, peat, or dung for cooking spend hours each day gathering fuel. The gatherers are often the women and children, precluding their access to education and other opportunities. Use of kerosene for lighting has been linked to lung cancer, pneumonia, heart disease, and other health problems. Lamps are easily knocked over and start fires. A lack of access to electricity has ripple effects across many aspects of people’s lives, health, and safety. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that in 2017 more than 120 million people worldwide gained access to electricity, causing the total number of people without access to fall below 1 billion for the first time ever. IEA is expecting this reduction in energy poverty to double when 2018 data are available. The United Nations is targeting zero energy poverty by 2030. The gains during 2017 are largely attributable to a significant government effort in India to bring electricity to all of its villages and progress in a few African countries. Despite these gains, more than 55% of people in Sub-Saharan Africa and around 9% of those in Asia still lack access to the benefits of electricity. In 15 African countries, the percentage of the population without access to electricity is 75% or more. Where did the electricity for those 120 million new consumers come from? Since 2000, according to IEA, 26% of this additional access to electricity has come from natural gas, and to a lesser extent, oil. Another 45% has come from coal (commonly used for electricity in India). Since 2012, renewables have grown in the mix and now constitute 34% of new electric connections in developing areas, led by solar power. Those who argue we should stop using all fossil fuels immediately may not realize that they would be limiting the opportunity of those without power to improve their standard of living. Progress on ensuring access to clean fuels for cooking has been much slower. IEA estimates that 2.8 billion people lack access to modern cooking fuels, virtually unchanged from 2000. China and Indonesia have made progress through policies encouraging use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas, and electricity for cooking. IEA reports that 2.5 billion people cook with traditional biomass sources, while another 120 million use kerosene and 170 million use coal for cooking. Natural gas, LPG, and natural gas liquids have the potential for replacing these sources, with significant environmental and health benefits as well.

‘Availability’ and/or ‘Affordability’:What matters in household energy access in India?

While access to cleaner fuel is a sustainable development goal, the transition from traditional to modern fuel is yet to be achieved in India. This paper estimates fuel costs associated with such transitions and analyses the determinants of access to electricity for lighting and Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) for cooking. State-level regression models based on data from 61st (2004–05), 68th (2011–12) and 71st (2014) rounds of National Sample Survey are used. While energy expenditures are found to be comparable for kerosene and electricity for lighting, it increases 3.6–8.8-fold for transition to LPG from traditional fuel. Availability is important for greater uptake of electricity i.e. higher rate of electrification helps, but the same is not true for LPG. While untargeted tariff-subsidy leads to significant budgetary pressure, it doesn't affect the access. States with higher income and literacy rate/women empowerment have greater access to LPG and electricity. This shows while Indian energy policies always focused on removal of supply-side barriers through infrastructure creation, removal of first cost barrier and subsidizing tariff, a more meaningful way to ensure access is perhaps to integrate energy policies within the broader arena of comprehensive development policies to ensure improvement in socio-economic indicators.

Updated Emission Factors from Diffuse Combustion Sources in Sub-Saharan Africa and Their Effect on Regional Emission Estimates.

Diffuse emission sources outside of kitchen areas are poorly understood, and measurements of their emission factors (EFs) are sparse for regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Thirty-one in-field emission measurements were taken in northern Ghana from combustion sources common to rural regions worldwide. Sources sampled included commercial cooking, trash burning, kerosene lanterns, and diesel generators. EFs were calculated for carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), as well as carbonaceous particulate matter, specifically elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC). EC and OC emissions were measured from kerosene lighting events (EFEC = 25.1 g/kg-fuel SD = 25.7, EFOC = 9.5 g/kg-fuel SD = 10.0). OC emissions from trash burning events were large and highly variable (EFOC = 38.9 g/kg-fuel SD = 30.5). Combining our results with other recent in-field emission factors for rural Ghana, we explored updated emission estimates for Ghana using a region specific emissions inventory. Large differences are calculated for all updated source emissions, showing a 96% increase in OC and 78% decrease in EC compared to prior estimates for Ghana's emissions. Differences for carbon monoxide were small when averaged across all updated source types (-1%), though the household wood use and trash burning categories individually show large differences.

Indian annual ambient air quality standard is achievable by completely mitigating emissions from household sources

Exposures to ambient and household fine-particulate matter (PM2.5) together are among the largest single causes of premature mortality in India according to the Global Burden of Disease Studies (GBD). Several recent investigations have estimated that household emissions are the largest contributor to ambient PM2.5 exposure in the country. Using satellite-derived district-level PM2.5 exposure and an Eulerian photochemical dispersion model CAMx (Comprehensive Air Quality Model with Extensions), we estimate the benefit in terms of population exposure of mitigating household sources--biomass for cooking, space- and water-heating, and kerosene for lighting. Complete mitigation of emissions from only these household sources would reduce India-wide, population-weighted average annual ambient PM2.5 exposure by 17.5, 11.9, and 1.3%, respectively. Using GBD methods, this translates into reductions in Indian premature mortality of 6.6, 5.5, and 0.6%. If PM2.5 emissions from all household sources are completely mitigated, 103 (of 597) additional districts (187 million people) would meet the Indian annual air-quality standard (40 μg m-3) compared with baseline (2015) when 246 districts (398 million people) met the standard. At 38 μg m-3, after complete mitigation of household sources, compared with 55.1 μg m-3 at baseline, the mean annual national population-based concentration would meet the standard, although highly polluted areas, such as Delhi, would remain out of attainment. Our results support expansion of programs designed to promote clean household fuels and rural electrification to achieve improved air quality at regional scales, which also has substantial additional health benefits from directly reducing household air pollution exposures.

Models and Strategies for Developing the Electricity Sector iIn Indonesia as a Key Element for Poverty Eradication: Evaluation of The First Year

This study is part of multiyear research on electricity access at remote areas. The end goal of the study is to develop a model of electricity access in remote area. We collected a baseline information as part of quasi experimental study at some villages, in Satar Mese sub-district, East Nusa Tenggara. The baseline data showed three major fnding. First, households with electricity access spent signifcantly less on kerosene. Second, access to electricity increases spending on non-food items signifcantly. Third, because the o? grid SEHEN program is for lighting, we do not obtain strong evidence for a causal relation between electricity access and increases in working hours. We found that access to electricity can improve peoples welfare through increasing spending on food and non-food spending. This mechanism can work because the price of SEHEN is relatively cheaper than kerosene light. Thus, people obtained extra saving on energy spending. In the long terms, we expect, more jobs can be created when electricity production increases.

X-RAY MICROANALYSIS OF ELECTRIC-SPARK COATINGS BASED ON TUNGSTEN-CONTAINING ELECTROEROSION POWDERS

The development of modern engineering requires improving the quality, reliability and durability of parts, components and mechanisms. One of the effective ways to solve these problems is the use of various functional coatings, including the method of electrospark alloying (EIL). The main electrode materials are mainly sintered hard alloys, the cost of which, due to the presence of expensive tungsten, is relatively high. One of the promising methods for producing powder from almost any conductive material, including solid alloy and high-speed steel waste, is the method of electroerosion dispersion (EED), characterized by relatively low energy costs and environmental cleanliness of the process. The purpose of this work was to conduct x-ray Microspectral microanalysis of the electrospark coating obtained by electrospark alloying on the UR-121 installation with the use of electrodes from a mixture of electroerosion powders of the VK8 (90%)+P6M5 (10%) brand obtained by electroerosion dispersion of solid alloy and high-speed steel waste in kerosene lighting. The electrode was obtained by mixing the powders in the ratio VK-8 (90%) + R6M5(10%), Electrospark coatings formed by the electrode on a sample of steel 30HGSA received at the installation UR-121 (production of the company PELM, Podolsk). In order to identify the distribution of elements on the surface of the electrospark coatings, with the help of energy-dispersion analyzer of x-ray radiation of the company EDAX, built into the raster electron microscope "QUANTA 200 3D", the spectra of the characteristic x-ray radiation at various points on the surface of the sample were obtained. On the basis of experimental studies aimed at conducting x-ray Microspectral microanalysis of the electrospark coating obtained by electrospark alloying on the installation UR-121 with the use of electrodes from a mixture of electroerosion powders of the brand VK8 (90%)+P6M5 (10%) obtained by electroerosion dispersion of solid alloy waste and high-speed steel in kerosene lighting, the content of the main elements in it is determined.

Accidents caused by kerosene lamps—New evidence from African household data

The use of kerosene for lighting, cooking, and heating in developing countries is often considered a major health threat as it can cause accidents like thermal injuries, poisonings, fires, or explosions. The evidence to prove this is extremely scarce, though. The present paper is one of the first to investigate the link between kerosene‐based lighting and accidents at the household level. We use survey data from 3,326 nonelectrified households in Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Senegal, and Zambia and observe very heterogeneous kerosene lamp usage rates. In some regions, accidents with kerosene lamps occur in a substantial share of the population, but the absolute incidence is rather low.This article is categorized under: Energy Policy and Planning &gt; Economics and Policy Energy and Development &gt; Economics and Policy

Heating and cooking in rural Canada: home energy in transition, 1850–1940

ABSTRACTContextualized in very recent histories of energy and in the rich scholarly literature focused on the consumption practices within the home, this article examines the ways that rural Canadians experienced the shift from the organic energy regime (characterized by relatively low energy use and reliance on local rural environments) to the mineral energy regime of fossil fuels and electricity (characterized by high energy use, dense population clusters, and complex networks that distribute energy). Modern grid-supplied energy came very late to rural Canada; the great majority of rural Canadians were still relying on kerosene (paraffin) for lighting and wood for heating and cooking as late as 1941. This article focuses on rural Canadians' long reliance on the wood stove to explore the distinctively slow and late transition that characterized the Canadian transition to the modern energy regime. Although the cast iron wood-burning stove eventually became as emblematic of the ‘backwardness’ of rural life as the coal-oil lamp, the author argues that the wood stove, like the coal oil lamp, was in fact a product of the modern energy regime, and was entangled in networks of extraction, processing, and transportation of fossil fuels along modern coal-and steam networks already transforming rural life.

The renewable energy sector in Afghanistan: Policy and potential

Afghanistan has one of the lowest rates of access to and usage of electricity in the world. Fuelwood, charcoal, agricultural, and animal waste still dominate in meeting energy needs for cooking and heating, with a large percentage of the population using kerosene, candles, and gas for lighting. Yet the situation has changed significantly since the U.S. and coalition combat operations that began at the end of 2001. The period through to the present day has seen a fivefold increase in the electrification rate; agreements with Central Asian countries and Iran for importing electricity; the implementation of thousands of small‐scale renewable energy projects in rural areas; the development and rehabilitation of several large‐scale energy projects; the (partial) development of the institutional, policy, and regulatory landscape; and the expansion of transmission lines and distribution networks. Although accurate information is scarce, Afghanistan has both substantial fossil fuel reserves and renewable energy potential. The country's wind power potential alone looks likely to exceed projected power demand for several decades ahead. Similarly, both the estimated hydropower and solar photovoltaic (PV) potential each exceed projected 2032 power demand. The institutional context of the Afghanistan energy sector is complex, comprising multiple ministries, government agencies, aid agencies, and intergovernmental organizations. Nonetheless, given suitable coordination, the technologies, natural resources, and capabilities are available for transforming the sector and the lives of many people. WIREs Energy Environ 2018, 7:e280. doi: 10.1002/wene.280This article is categorized under: Energy Infrastructure &gt; Climate and Environment Energy Policy and Planning &gt; Economics and Policy Energy Policy and Planning &gt; Systems and Infrastructure

Exposure reductions associated with introduction of solar lamps to kerosene lamp-using households in Busia County, Kenya.

Solar lamps are a clean and potentially cost-effective alternative to polluting kerosene lamps used by millions of families in developing countries. By how much solar lamps actually reduce exposure to pollutants, however, has not been examined. Twenty households using mainly kerosene for lighting were enrolled through a secondary school in Busia County, Kenya. Personal PM2.5 and CO concentrations were measured on a school pupil and an adult in each household, before and after provision of 3 solar lamps. PM2.5 concentrations were measured in main living areas, pupils' bedrooms, and kitchens. Usage sensors measured use of kerosene and solar lighting devices. Ninety percent of baseline kerosene lamp use was displaced at 1-month follow-up, corresponding to average PM2.5 reductions of 61% and 79% in main living areas and pupils' bedrooms, respectively. Average 48-h exposure to PM2.5 fell from 210 to 104μg/m3 (-50%) among adults, and from 132 to 35μg/m3 (-73%) among pupils. Solar lamps displaced most kerosene lamp use in at least the short term. If sustained, this could mitigate health impacts of household air pollution in some contexts. Achieving safe levels of exposure for all family members would likely require also addressing use of solid-fuel stoves.

Investigation of Phase Composition of Samples Sintered from Tungsten-Containing Composite Micro- and Nano-Powders

The article presents the results of research into the phase composition of samples sintered from tungsten-containing composite micro- and nano-powders obtained by mixing VK8 (70%) and PRS (30%) powderz obtained in kerosene lighting. It is established that the main phases of the sintered sample are the WC and Fe3С.

Are the off-grid customers ready to pay for electricity from the decentralized renewable hybrid mini-grids? A study of willingness to pay in rural Bangladesh

Off-grid rural and remote area electrification through decentralized renewable hybrid mini-grids (HMG) has been prioritized in the recent national renewable energy policy of Bangladesh. Research was carried out to explore the actual customer willingness to pay (WTP) for the electricity to be supplied by such HMGs, while considering a wide spectrum of socioeconomic factors. Door to door household survey was conducted using structured questionnaire to collect respondent data in December 2015 from six off-grid villages under three different administrative districts. Wide variations in current cost of kerosene based lighting and expected load demand were observed among different income groups. Average monthly cost of lighting ranged between USD 3.0 to USD 9.24 and expected electricity usages as 3.60 kWh and 33.76 kWh. Families with higher income showed least mean satisfaction with kerosene lighting. However, strong mean willingness to switch HMG has been identified regardless of income status. The dichotomous choice contingent valuation method (CVM) was applied for this purpose. The maximum WPT value (USD 0.432/kWh) identified here indicates that a sustainable tariff model can be applied for attracting private investment in this sector.

Environmental health policies for women's, children's and adolescents' health.

Environmental health risks especially affect women and children, because they are more vulnerable socially and because exposures to environmental contaminants create greater risks for children's developing bodies and cognitive functions. According to the 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, modifiable environmental risk factors cause about 1.7 million deaths in children younger than five years and 12.6 million total deaths every year. (1) Although the Global strategy for women's, children's and adolescents' health (2016-2030) (2) was launched during the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit 2015, governments rarely recognize the sustainable development agenda as a transformative factor for health. The sustainable development goals (SDGs) offer opportunities for countries to create healthier environments for women, children and adolescents. This paper explores how the SDGs can be used to reduce environmental health risks and enhance the health of women, children and adolescents. In particular, we focus on drivers for urbanization and sustainable development (e.g. transport, housing, urban design and energy provision) that can advance the global strategy, but have not traditionally been a focus of health policy-making. We frame the discussion around the three pillars of the global strategy: survive, thrive and transform, while recognizing the inevitable overlap between these objectives. Survive Since women and children are especially affected by the environment, intersectoral interventions that reduce environmental risks will improve early childhood survival as well as reducing risks of premature death throughout the life-course. For instance, household air pollution from dirty fuels and inefficient cookstove was estimated to have caused around 4 million premature deaths in 2012 and was responsible for more than half of deaths due to childhood pneumonia. (3) Among women, indoor exposures to household cookstove smoke were estimated to cause 34% (452 548/1336601) of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease deaths, 21% (732 937/3 476 815) of stroke deaths, 19% (93 537/489 390) of lung cancer deaths and 14% (479478/3425 835) of ischaemic heart disease deaths in 2012. (4,5) Improving access to reliable electricity and clean water in health-care facilities can also help reduce maternal and newborn mortality, as such infrastructure is a critical determinant of quality of care. (6) A review of health-care facilities in 11 sub-Saharan African countries showed that an average of 26% of facilities had no electricity whatsoever. (7) Another review of 54 low- and middle-income countries found that 38% (25 118/66 101) of health facilities lack a clean drinking water source. (8) Ensuring that health-care facilities have access to power and water is a minimum requirement for attracting women to facilities and guaranteeing quality services for safe childbirth. Thrive Housing and energy sector interventions that promote the transition to cleaner fuels and for domestic cooking, heating and lighting can not only reduce deaths but improve the health of the 3 billion people worldwide who are reliant upon inefficient and polluting cookstoves. For this reason, the monitoring framework of the Global strategy for women's, children's and adolescents' health (2016-2030) explicitly tracks an indicator for primary reliance on clean fuels and technologies in households as part of its thrive pillar. (9) Examples of cleaner fuels and include liquefied petroleum gas, biogas, ethanol and electricity including photovoltaic solar-power for lighting. Improving access to clean fuels and can also reduce the burden of childhood burns and poisonings due to the use of kerosene for cooking and lighting. While most of the estimated 3 million deaths annually from outdoor ambient air pollution are among adult populations, reducing such pollution exposures are also critical to improving children's health and development across the life-course. …

A principal component analysis of the determinants of spatial disparity between rural and urban localities of Ghana

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the spatial disparity between rural and urban areas in Ghana using the Ghana Living Standards Survey’s (GLSS) rounds 5 and 6 data to advance the assertion that an endowed rural sector is necessary to promote agricultural development in Ghana. This analysis helps us to know the factors that contribute to the depravity of the rural sectors to inform policy towards development targeting.Design/methodology/approachA multivariate principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis were applied to data from the GLSS-5 and GLSS-6 to determine the characteristics of the rural-urban divide in Ghana.FindingsThe findings reveal that the rural poor also spend 60.3 per cent of their income on food, while the urban dwellers spend 49 per cent, which is an indication of food production capacity. They have low access to information technology facilities, have larger household sizes and lower levels of education. Rural areas depend a lot on firewood for cooking and use solar/dry cell energies and kerosene for lighting which have implications for conserving the environment.Practical implicationsDeveloping the rural areas to strengthen agricultural growth and productivity is a necessary condition for eliminating spatial disparities and promoting overall economic development in Ghana. Addressing rural deprivation is important for conserving the environment due to its increased use of fuelwood for cooking. Absence of alternatives to the use of fuelwood weakens the efforts to reduce deforestation.Originality/valueThe application of PCA to show the factors that contribute to spatial inequality in Ghana using the GLSS-5 and GLSS-6 data is unique. The study provides insights into redefining the framework for national poverty reduction efforts.

Kerosene lighting contributes to household air pollution in rural Uganda.

The literature on the contribution of kerosene lighting to indoor air particulate concentrations is sparse. In rural Uganda, kitchens are almost universally located outside the main home, and kerosene is often used for lighting. In this study, we obtained longitudinal measures of particulate matter 2.5 microns or smaller in size (PM2.5 ) from living rooms and kitchens of 88 households in rural Uganda. Linear mixed-effects models with a random intercept for household were used to test the hypotheses that primary reported lighting source and kitchen location (indoor vs outdoor) are associated with PM2.5 levels. During initial testing, households reported using the following sources of lighting: open-wick kerosene (19.3%), hurricane kerosene (45.5%), battery-powered (33.0%), and solar (1.1%) lamps. During follow-up testing, these proportions changed to 29.5%, 35.2%, 18.2%, and 9.1%, respectively. Average ambient, living room, and kitchen PM2.5 levels were 20.2, 35.2, and 270.0μg/m3 . Living rooms using open-wick kerosene lamps had the highest PM2.5 levels (55.3μg/m3 ) compared to those using solar lighting (19.4μg/m3 ; open wick vs solar, P=.01); 27.6% of homes using open-wick kerosene lamps met World Health Organization indoor air quality standards compared to 75.0% in homes using solar lighting.