Research
Paraffin: practical yet perilous
A look at the risks and health concerns of paraffin use in South Africa
“Socio-economic conditions force millions of South Africans to depend on illuminating paraffin as a household energy source. This project investigates the dangers and risks associated with domestic use of paraffin and paraffin appliances. In addition, this study attempts to understand the primary causes of paraffin-related incidents and what must be done to reduce or eliminate these causes.”
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Safe paraffin appliances and their contribution to demand side management
“Many accidents have resulted from using of paraffin as a fuel for cooking and heating. The appliances in common use leaked, and could burst into violent flame. Compulsory standards for the construction and operation of these appliances have been introduced, and the sale of the unsafe appliances has been banned. Safe paraffin appliances could contribute to the management of the electrical demand. Domestic cooking makes up about 4% of the total demand during the daily peak in electricity consumption. The widespread introduction of safe paraffin cookers to replace electrical cookers would save about 1 500MW. It would cost about R25bn to install generating capacity of that magnitude. Replacing electrical stoves would cost about R8bn.”
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The emperor’s new stoves: an evidence based approach to dispelling domestic energy safety myths
“The absence of clear, effective government policy on household energy safety, particularly as far as it relates to paraffin, has much to do with a lack of evidence based quality information which is essential for good decision making and implementation. Very few resources are allocated to building household energy safety knowledge resulting in a prevalence of energy safety myths.
The Paraffin Safety Association has initiated a National Household Energy Surveillance System using a geographical information system (GIS). This paper describes the surveillance system and illustrates how it can facilitate an evidence based approach develop and implement excellent household energy policy.”
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Research into Gel Fuels reveal their unsuitability for domestic use.
An Energy Research Centre (University of Cape Town) study entitled “THE TESTING OF GEL FUELS, AND THEIR COMPARISON TO ALTERNATIVE COOKING FUELS”, April 2007 by PJD Lloyd and EM Visagie, was presented at the Domestic Use of Energy Conference in Cape Town. Although Gel Fuels are being punted by some as a viable domestic alternative to paraffin, this research identifies crucial reasons why it is not suitable for domestic.
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University of Alabama (Birmingham) and Paraffin Safety Association Collaborate
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Jen, Azor and Phumla meeting with the health committee, Du Noon.
HSRC Report on “Limited choices: An exploratory study on paraffin use in KwaZulu-Natal.”
With the overall goal of developing a comprehensive community education programme, the Paraffin Safety Association of Southern Africa commissioned the Human Sciences Research Council to conduct an exploratory study on knowledge levels and strategies to promote the safe use of paraffin in KwaZulu-Natal.
