Africans Embracing Bio-Ethanol to Combat Indoor Air Pollution and Deforestation

With the global cost of bio-ethanol now 40% cheaper than the cost of charcoal, this fuel suggests a bright future for people living in African nations. Using other cooking methods indoors has lead to pollutants becoming trapped inside of homes and damaging the lungs of inhabitants. At the same time, outdoor air will become cleaner as deforestation caused by charcoal consumption will decrease. This is great news for Africa’s wildlife and will help the continent to maintain a clean natural environment. In a world trying to reduce the harmful effects of air pollution, it is Sub-Saharan Africa that could be leading the way towards cleaner air.

The Benefits of Clean Indoor Air

By tackling indoor air pollution, Africa will be helping to create a new generation of productive, healthy, and happy citizens. Clean air prevents lung damage and asthma, while also lowering the chances of feeling fatigued, dizzy or light-headed. This can be done with a mold inspection, switching to organic aerosol products, improving ventilation, or switching to a fuel like bio-ethanol.

With these health effects alleviated, those who spend much of their time indoors will go on to live more productive lives. Children will be able to concentrate at school, family relationships will be more likely to thrive, and employers can go to work feeling alert and energetic. Breathing cleaner air is the foundation to much of the rest of everyday life.

Why Bio-Ethanol?

In the United States, most households have switched to propane cookers as a way to limit indoor air pollution. However, with high costs of the extraction and transportation of propane, this simply isn’t practical for many African households. This is why many poorer and rural families have traditionally used charcoal, which releases far more pollutants.

Bio-ethanol is the perfect alternative to propane. It is just as safe and non-polluting but without the upfront capital costs. In fact, it is now 40% cheaper than charcoal, making it the obvious choice for families. Now that affordability isn’t an issue, Africans will be able to cook and heat their homes without polluting the indoor air.

Saving the Trees

At the moment, firewood accounts for 52% of energy resources in Sub-Saharan Africa. This is because 90% of the continent relies on charcoal for cooking. With deforestation in this region higher than anywhere else in the world, something needs to be done to protect the trees. By switching to bio-ethanol fuel, much of Africa’s tropical rainforests will avoid being cut down, helping to maintain a safe ecosystem and further clean the air.

Indoor air pollution is a problem the world over, but it is especially dangerous in countries who use charcoal to cook and heat their homes. By bringing down the price of clean alternatives like bio-ethanol, it is possible to improve the health and mental wellbeing of citizens. A by-product of this is protecting the trees, which will further help to keep Africa a clean and pleasant place to live and visit.