PATNA: "An overwhelming 1.38 lakh households in Patna still rely on solid fuel and traditional cook stoves for domestic cooking despite their negative impact on health. This dependency on solid fuel results into enormous emission of particulate matter (PM) and putting people's health at risk. The predominance of health complaints such as eye irritation, visual impairment, watery eyes, muscles fatigue and respiratory problems were observed", says a Centre for Environment and Energy Development (CEED) report on cooking practices in Patna titled as "Air pollution begins at home".
The survey was conducted in Patna Urban Ammologeration Area (PUAA). The entire survey was done in 18 cluster of 11 places in PUAA area. The total sample size was 580. A lot community focused group discussion was also conducted. The survey was conducted between February and March, 2016.
The area that were surveyed are- Isapur, airport Area, Hardaspura, Purania, AIIMS area, Lal kothi, PipaPul, Gajhadhar chowk, Durja, Digha area, Binda toli, Gaighat, Karma singhNahar, Sharifganj, kamla Nehru Nagar, Punaichak and Boring road.
The report advocates for serious and urgent efforts for transition to cleaner/sustainable forms of energy in Patna.
While releasing the report here on Friday, Ramapati Kumar, chief executive officer (CEO) of CEED said, "Inefficient cooking stoves lead to toxic smoke which creates environmental health risk. Women and children are exposed to toxic chemicals. Burning of solid fuels emits complex mix of pollutants, mainly PM and black carbon. It's shocking to witness that large number of households in Patna still depends on solid fuel".
Kumar said that the Bihar government should implement stronger actions to transform existing cooking practices for safe and healthy lifestyle.
Presenting the findings of report, AnkitaJyoti, CEED programme manager, said that it was observed that 72% of Women and children are at higher risk. The report represents a dismal situation of air pollution in Patna associated with usage of bio mass for cooking. It is estimated that 831.54 tons of toxics PM and 232 tons of black carbon is added in the atmosphere, Jyoti revealed.
The report also projects a trend of pollution which can reach to 1.32 lakh tons of (PM 2.5 ) by 2051. "Bihar faces a historic moment as the government promised total electrification by 2017 but clean and safe methods of cooking from better fuels is given a little attention in the state", said CEO Kumar.
"We need to declare a war on traditional methods of cooking to safeguard women's health. It requires a system that collates technological up gradation, implementation plans, monitoring strategies and clear timelines to phase-out the bio-mass from cooking, he said.
CEED demanded the state government to phase out dirty fuel from cooking to safeguard the health of women and children and a combination of technology depending on adoptability, affordability and potential should be encouraged to smoothen the transition.
