Northern residents at risk of respiratory diseases over high usage of charcoal, firewood
The Nigeria Residential Energy Demand-Side Survey has shown that residents of states like Kano, Sokoto, Plateau, and Kwara are fast at the risk of respiratory diseases.
Of the listed states, the highest amount spent on firewood in thirty days in Plateau was put at ₦18,803.7, Kano stood at ₦10,193 and Kwara ₦8,309.
The report further noted that households that have prioritised firewood are exposed to negative consequences, Solacebase reviewed.
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“By negative consequences, we refer to households who experienced the following: missed school/schooling problems, injuries/health, assault/violence, kidnapping and others.
“An estimated 16.7 percent of households that cut or collected fuelwood experienced negative consequences,” the report read.
Some of the dangers involved in using and sourcing firewood include assaults, violence, respiratory, and natal diseases, due to the growing use of firewood and charcoal as a source of cooking amid the rising price of cooking gas.
The report shows that in Plateau, an average 346.4kg of firewood was purchased within thirty days, making it the highest in all Nigerian States.
Sokoto followed with 329.5Kg, Kano stood at 305.6Kg. Kwara State residents also bought firewood on the average of 250.6kg within thirty days.
In terms of expenditure, the highest figures are 77.8% of households in Sokoto, 77.7% in Plateau, 63.7% in Kano, 51.7% in Kwara.
In terms of charcoal, the national average of households that use charcoal stood at 21.6%. 47.4% of households in Kwara use charcoal, 27.7% in Kano, and 14.2% in Plateau.
Of all the households surveyed for the report, only 19.4% reported using Liquified Petroleum Gas.
This development comes amid a rise in the price of cooking gas across the country which sells for ₦1500/kg as of the time of this report.
It also comes despite the stated dangers associated with the use of firewood.
According to the World Health Organization, the lives of women “are being threatened by the harmful effects of inhaling the smoke that comes from cooking with firewood, charcoal, and kerosene; all inefficient, polluting fuels which is a health risk and major contributor to respiratory diseases, natal complications”.
Other dangers include; heart disease and premature deaths of children.
According to a WHO report, 4.2 million people die from exposure to outdoor air pollution, in addition to the 3.8 million whose deaths are linked to household smoke produced by dirty stoves and fuels.
WHO in a report noted that “solid fuels produce carbon, one of the biggest contributors to climate change after carbon dioxide. Also, the wood used for cooking in the form of firewood or charcoal contributes to deforestation which in turn hurts climate change.”
According to a publication by the National Institute for Health, Kano state recorded the third highest cases of tuberculosis in a survey carried out and notified to the national tuberculosis programme.
Already, data from the Nigeria tuberculosis dashboard shows a 58% tuberculosis detection rate.
It was also reported by the World Health Organization that 98,000 Nigerians die annually due to the use of firewood and charcoal.
There have been calls for a review of the rising cost of cooking gas which is seen as clean energy.
Proofreading by Cara Gift Luckson, Editor at Neptune Prime.
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