LPG Fuel: A Health Risk?

“Why is the government allowing LPG fuel when it is a health risk? Many drivers claim that their health deteriorated with LPG.” I received this message from my friend who works for an NGO. As a commuter who values the role of public transport drivers, I became deeply concerned. So I will attempt to answer her question.

According to news reports

the Department of Health (DOH) is currently investigating a surge of heath risks among drivers of public utility vehicles fueled by Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said, “We have received reports of drivers of LPG-driven public vehicles suffering from difficulty in breathing and skin allergy.” He said that if LPG is indeed proven to pose health risks, the DOH will “make a recommendation to immediately stop the use of such technology.” (Read the article here)

Ain’t that for cooking? Why use LPG for fuel anyway?

The development of LPG Fuel is part of an environmental health campaign. According to a 2003 World Bank report 1,300 deaths and 45,000 emergency room visits in Manila are due to air pollution that can also be attributed to transportation. In 2004, the USAID gave a grant “for ‘Clean Cities Philippines’ development will bring Alternative Fuel Vehicle training and coalition development and technology demonstration projects in CME (coconut methyl ether), biodiesel, CNG, and LPG.” (source: Clean Cities, US Department of Energy)

In the past 4 decades, LPG fuel have already been used in Italy, Japan, South Korea and the United States with over 10 million motorists running on LPG. This technology, also known as “autogas,” has been launched in the Philippines to provide a choice of alternative fuel that’s cheaper and cleaner. According to Wilfredo Toledo, Petron’s Technical Department manager, “10 million people cannot be wrong. LPG has a safety record as good if not better than gasoline.” (source: A. Perez)

The bottom line: LPG fuel technology is for a cleaner and more breathable environment. It also provides cheaper fuel options. So it has good intentions.

But if LPG is proven to be a health hazard, then that would spell trouble.

I found a report on LPG Supplies and Facilities in the Philippines presented at an LPG-CNG Workshop in ADB Manila back in October 2002. Here’s a gyst:

• There are 9 major LPG suppliers in the country including Petron, Caltex, and Shell.
• Their current facilities have a storage capacity of 86,900 metric tons of LPG in Luzon alone
• There is a potential auto LPG market of 3,000 cars for transportation in Metro Manila using 40 liters per day. That’s 12,121 metric tons per month.
• So it’s feasible.
• Their target market? Auto-LPG cars. The gas stations. The fleet operators.

I got this from an article at gov.ph: The Modernization Program of the Department of Transportation and Communications has been pushing for more LPG-driven public utility vehicles. Last Wednesday “President Arroyo launched the Philippines’ first LPG-diesel hybrid vehicle, the newest alternative fuel option on a growing list, in simple rites at the MGE Terminal along Seminary road in Barangay Bahay Toro, Quezon City.” And at present, the cost for a jeepney to converted into a hybrid diesel engine running on 70% diesel and 30% LPG is P70,000.

The big bucks and politics come in.

And so?

First of all, I think the assumption underlying my friend’s question is that LPG fuel is indeed a health risk. However, we have yet to wait for the facts of the DoH investigation. Do I see some eyebrows raising? You think they might be bribed to prove that there’s no link between LPG use and public health! I hope the DoH will not compromise public health for economic gains. What’s the use of a surging economy when you’ve got surging health hazards? I suppose it’s fair to give LPG fuel technology the benefit of the doubt. Maybe these complaints are not definitely related to LPG fuel after all. I wonder if there are similar cases of ‘health risks’ like this in other countries. And I also wonder what the doctors have to say about it. For now, innocent until proven guilty.

To answer my friend’s question, let’s presume LPG fuel is indeed a health risk– why would the government allow it? Simple. There are just too many players involved now. The fuel companies, the hybrid engine conversion mechanics, the Clean Air advocates who’ve invested money in this field of research.

I’m not against any move for environmental advocacies and cheaper fuel alternatives. What I just find interesting in this issue is that we’re weighing which among these is more important: environment, money, or the human person. If there are no health hazards, then why not pursue alternative fuel?