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IAP study on ethanol stoves in Ethiopia
[top] [end] Background of Gaia Association & IAP study in EthiopiaThe Gaia Association initiative (Project Gaia Research Studies) was created over four years ago with the purpose of promoting alcohol fuels for household and refugee use in Ethiopia. The association seeks to replace existing traditional fuels such as firewood,kerosene, charcoal, and dung, which have been shown to produce soot and other products of incomplete combustion that are harmful to human health. The vehicle for this change is the CleanCook stove, which is fueled in this study by ethanol.[top] [end] Purpose of StudyFor the last two years Gaia Association (GA) has been collecting indoor air pollution (IAP) data under the guidance of University of California Berkeley's Center for Entrepreneurship in International Health and Development (CEIHD) in homes in Addis Ababa and refugee camps throughout Ethiopia. IAP in refugee communities is a major concern, and the data collected from this study will aid in the mitigation of the negative effects of indoor smoke. CEIHD is assisting with the air quality measurements and equipment in pilot study homes. High levels of IAP contribute to a myriad of health issues. These high levels of IAP are prevalent in the homes of Addis Ababa, largely as a result of the burning of solid biomass fuels and kerosene for cooking. The study was conducted in three location in Ethiopia:
[top] [end] The CleanCook Stove Tests in Addis Abba, EthiopiaGaia Association over the last several years has formed strong partnerships within the Addis Ababa NGO community. The tests that were performed were done in collaboration with our partner organizations. A total of five samples were taken from the Good Shepherd Sisters Charities in the Kirkos Sub-City of Addis Ababa. The mission of the Good Shepherd Charities is to aid the poor and destitute of Addis Ababa. Their outreach programs focus on meeting the needs of women and children that face the hardships of poverty. The tests were performed in households that are associated with this organization.The other four samples were taken at the Former Fuelwood Carriers Association in the Yeka Sub-City of Addis Ababa. The mission of the Former Fuelwood Carriers Association is to offer new income generating activities to women who were once solely dependent on the gathering of fuelwood. Gaia Association has partnered with this organization for the past two years to gain valuable data on the effectiveness of the CleanCook stove.  Read the Addis Ababa report here (161 KB) [top] [end]The CleanCook Stove Tests in the Kebribeyah Refugee Camp,Somali Regional State, EthiopiaGaia Association is an Ethiopian NGO formed one year ago to further the aims of Project Gaia Research Studies, which has as its purpose to demonstrate the use of alcohol fuels (ethanol and methanol) for household and refugee use in Ethiopia. The association seeks to replace existing traditional fuels such as firewood, kerosene, charcoal, and dung that have been shown to be harmful to human health. The vehicle for this change is the CleanCook stove by Dometic AB, which is fueled by ethanol.For the past year, Gaia has been collaborating with UNHCR (The United Nations High Commission for Refugees) and ARRA (Administration of Refugee and Returnee Affairs) to distribute the CleanCook stove to the Kebribeyah refugee camp, which is located in the eastern Somali Regional State. Since the project’s inception 800+ stoves (households) along with 10 liters (a 10 day supply) of ethanol have been distributed to each participating household. In the future, the program will expand to include all homes inside the camp. In order to ensure a sustainable fuel supply, an ethanol storage facility has been built at Kebribeyah. The storage facility can hold up to 16,000 liters of ethanol and the association has also secured a tanker to transport the ethanol from FINCHAA (an ethanol distillery) to Kebribeyah. Kebribeyah currently accommodates over 16,000 refugees. The camp conditions and construction of the refugees’ structures contribute to high levels of IAP. Entrances to homes are the only access to fresh air, and most homes/cooking areas are poorly ventilated. Predominant use of solid biomass cooking stoves indoors and the lack of ventilation results in high levels of indoor air pollution, such as carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter of aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 2.5 microns (PM2.5).Use of incense and kerosene for lighting also add to high levels of CO and PM2.5 in the indoor air. The close proximity of the homes contributes to transference of PM and CO from one house to another. The dry, arid, and windy climate of the eastern region also plays a part in the levels of outdoor air pollution. The project provided an opportunity for the participants and residents of the camp to gain firsthand knowledge about IAP and to learn that it is a major human health concern. Through the assistance of interpreters, several issues were addressed regarding the study and the subject of IAP. The participants were extremely concerned about how IAP affected their lives, and they expressed varied health concerns regarding the issue. The information collected at Kebribeyah provided evidence not only to our team, but also most importantly to the stakeholders, that alternative fuels and technologies have their place in refugee communities. At the completion of the study, the participants knew that the equipment placed in their homes would contribute to data that in the future would aid them and their living conditions. By conducting the study, we gave legitimacy to the stakeholders’ concerns that IAP has negatively impacted their health and livelihoods. The stakeholders reported the positive effects of the CleanCook and how it mitigated the negative effects of IAP.[top] [end]Special Conditions of the CampThe Kebribeyah refugee camp offers an exceptional testing environment, because the homes are uniform through out the community. All are characterized by their lack of good ventilation. Homes and cooking shelters alike have doors covered by cloth flaps and no windows. Due to the political instability in the region, it was imperative for the Gaia Association IAP team to leave the camp by 17:00 everyday. Read the report of Kebribeyah Refugee Camp here (166 KB) [top] [end]The CleanCook Stove Tests in the Bonga Refugee Camp Gambella Regional State, EthiopiaFor a three-month period Gaia collaborated with UNHCR (The United Nations High Commission for Refugees) and ARRA (Administration of Refugee and Returnee Affairs) in a pilot study to test the CleanCook stove at Bonga Refugee Camp in the Ethiopian Regional State of Gambella. Twenty stoves were tested during this time period. Each of the participants was given a two-burner CleanCook stove and 10 liters of ethanol for a 10-day period.During the study Bonga Refugee Camp accommodated 17,000 refugees. Bonga presented the IAP team with a very unique cooking environment. Traditionally, the Sudanese refugees cook outside their homes. The traditional porridge (Genfo) that is prepared requires a very large pot and can only be cooked on a three stone fire. This contributes to low IAP in both the before and after studies. However, during the night they burn a three stone fire to keep snakes and mosquitoes from entering their homes. The purpose of this pilot study was to test the impact of the CleanCook stove and to take IAP samples from the participating households. At the end of the three-month study,narratives were done to document the experience the participants had with the CleanCook stove and what type of impact it had on their lives. Read the report of Bonga Refugee Camp here (165 KB) [top] [end] Request For Feedback and CommentsGaia Association will welcome and appreciate any ideas, suggestions or guidance from CleanAirSIG members with experience in this field.[top] [end] External LinksMTTC test-"Who Else Wants To 'Crack-The-Code' Of Your MTTC Test In ONLY 7 Days And Go To $37,857.00 In Michigan Teacher Salary Right Now...Much EASIER Than You Ever Thought Possible?" | ||||||
Page created:
15 October 2008; Last edited:
02 May 2009; Version: 1 | ||||||
Pagename: CleanAirSIG:IAPStudyOnEthanolStovesEthiopia @HEDON: JCPA | ||||||
