Stakeholders fear lung cancer surge as 90% Nigerians lack clean cooking energy
Public health experts in Nigeria have raised the alarm over serious health risks associated with traditional cooking methods, as just one in ten Nigerian households uses clean energy sources.
They noted that this limited adoption of cleaner fuels such as gas, electricity, or solar is contributing to widespread respiratory and cardiovascular problems.
Speaking to newsmen, the physicians explained that exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons often found in firewood and other polluting fuels could lead to rise in lung cancer.
Recently, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, revealed that only one in 10 households in the country use clean energy sources and technologies for cooking.
The minister lamented that traditional cooking with firewood and other polluting fuels, such as kerosene and charcoal, is claiming lives, causing deforestation, and contributing to climate change, while also placing a burden on women.
With the majority of Nigerians still relying on firewood and charcoal following the hike in cooking gas, the public health experts emphasised the urgent need for increased access to and adoption of clean cooking technologies to prevent ongoing health issues and environmental damage.
The physicians advocated for a transition to clean energy sources, such as gas, electricity, and solar cookers, which can significantly reduce indoor air pollution and related health risks
While emphasising that women and children are disproportionately affected due to their increased exposure to indoor air pollution, the experts urged the government to implement policies that make clean energy cooking accessible and affordable for all Nigerians.
They also suggested alternatives, such as smokeless stoves using coal, charcoal, or sawdust, which can reduce cooking time and air pollution risks.
A professor of public health at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Kwara State, Professor Tanimola Akande, stressed that the use of non-clean energy sources poses significant health risks to individuals and communities.
“These energy sources release harmful pollutants, including particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds, which can cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases,” he warned.
Akande noted that prolonged exposure to these pollutants can lead to lung cancers, eye irritation, and other health problems.
The former National Chairman of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria called for a transition to clean energy sources, such as gas, electricity, and solar cookers, which can significantly reduce indoor air pollution and related health risks.
He, however, acknowledged that affordability and accessibility remain significant barriers to adoption.
Akande maintained that the government must show strong political will to make clean energy cooking accessible and affordable for all Nigerians.
He stated that public awareness campaigns can help educate people about the risks associated with non-clean energy sources.
While noting that the use of non-clean energy sources is a major cause of deforestation, which has severe environmental consequences, the Don urged the government to implement policies that promote sustainable forest management and reforestation.
He stressed the need for urgent action to address the health risks associated with non-clean energy cooking sources and to promote a transition to cleaner, healthier alternatives.
When asked how exposure to firewood and other polluting fuels can affect children, the physician added, “Children are also susceptible to respiratory diseases from the particulate matter and carbon monoxide from such cooking methods. This when inhaled can predispose children to developing pneumonia and asthmatic attacks.
“Women are usually more exposed to this hazard because they do more of the cooking. The situation is worsened because of poor ventilation in the cooking areas. For pregnant women, it can increase the risk of delivering babies with low birth weight and preterm babies.
“Change to clean energy sources of cooking will reduce the risk and exposure to smoke experienced with the non-clean energy sources. This will, therefore, reduce the occurrence of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases attributable to smoke generated from cooking with non-clean energy sources. Eye irritation will also be reduced with the use of clean-energy cooking methods.
“Clean energy cooking methods like the use of electricity, gas, and solar cookers, among others, generate little or no smoke with pollutants and carbon monoxide. It reduces indoor pollution significantly. Cooking accidents are more common with non-clean energy methods of cooking.
“The alternatives to non-clean energy cooking are cooking with gas, solar, and electricity cookers. Unfortunately, the current economic realities of Nigeria do not make this easily affordable to poor Nigerians. The price of gas has been on the increase recently. This is in addition to the high electricity tariff in Nigeria.
“A large number of people are not using clean gas because they are not affordable to them. There is also poor penetration of sales of gas in rural areas and therefore rural people have low access to them. There is also the perceived fear of accidental hazards in using gas by people.
“Government must show strong political will to make clean energy cooking accessible to Nigerians by making them affordable and provision of such cooking materials available at subsidised price.”
Corroborating him, a Professor of Community Medicine and Public Health at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Best Ordinioha, highlighted the dangers of cooking with firewood, noting that it is equivalent to smoking one packet of cigarettes per hour.
Ordinioha noted that children are also at risk of developing pneumonia and asthmatic attacks due to their faster breathing rate and increased exposure to indoor air pollution.
He stated that clean energy cooking methods, such as gas and electricity, produce little to no smoke or pollutants.
The physician suggested that smokeless stoves using coal, charcoal, or sawdust can also reduce cooking time and air pollution risks.
While acknowledging the high cost of clean energy cooking methods and limited availability in rural areas, the professor stressed the need for nationwide surveys and monitoring of air pollution to track progress towards adopting clean energy cooking methods.
Ordinioha noted the need for a multidisciplinary approach to address the health risks associated with non-clean energy cooking sources.
He urged healthcare professionals, policymakers, and community leaders to work together to promote a transition to cleaner, healthier alternatives.
He stated, “Significant reduction of indoor air pollution, resulting in better respiratory health.
“Cleaner fuel produces fire of higher temperature, blue and white fire, unlike the yellow fire of dirty fuel. Electricity is the cleanest, but very expensive at this time of prepaid meter
