Context A recent study has revealed that India's reliance on kerosene-based lamps contributes significantly to black carbon emissions, releasing 12.5 gigagrams (Gg) of this potent climate pollutant annually. This figure accounts for approximately 10% of total residential black carbon emissions, which also include emissions from cooking and heating.

KEY FINDINGS

  • Prevalence of Kerosene Use:
    • About 30% of rural households in India depend on kerosene lamps as a secondary light source during power outages, with this figure rising to 70% in eastern regions.
  • Regional Emissions:
    • The eastern part of India contributes to 60% of the country’s black carbon emissions from secondary light sources, totaling 7.5 Gg.
  • Impact of Power Supply:
    • Despite efforts to reduce kerosene consumption through initiatives like the Saubhagya scheme, frequent power outages force many households to resort to kerosene lighting.
  • Research Methodology:
    • Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay conducted surveys from 2018-2020, visiting 6,000 households to analyze fuel usage patterns and emissions from different lighting devices.
  • Types of Kerosene Devices:
    • The study identified two main types of kerosene lamps:
      • Wick Lamps: Simple, homemade devices.
      • Hurricane Lamps: More sophisticated designs.
  • Emissions Estimates:
    • The emissions factor for black carbon varies significantly among lamp types:
      • Flat wick lamps: 190 g/kg of kerosene burnt.
      • Wick lamps: 61.4 g/kg.
      • Hurricane lamps: 17.2 g/kg.
    • Burn rates for these lamps were also measured, showing significant variation based on design.
  • Diwali Lighting Emissions:
    • The study also examined emissions from traditional Diwali lights, which are commonly powered by sesame or edible oils. These lamps could emit an additional 3 Gg of black carbon during the festival.
  • Potential Reductions:
    • Switching from kerosene to wax-based lamps could potentially reduce emissions by up to 90%.
ABOUT BLACK CARBON Commonly referred to as soot, black carbon is a component of fine particulate air pollution (PM 2.5) formed by the incomplete combustion of wood, fossil fuels, and other organic materials.
  • Climate Impact: Black carbon has a global warming potential 460-1,500 times stronger than CO2, contributing to climate change and altering weather patterns.
  • Health Effects: Exposure to black carbon is linked to serious health risks, including heart disease, birth complications, and premature death.

ENVIRONMENTAL & HEALTH IMPACTS

  • Atmospheric Warming: Black carbon warms the atmosphere by effectively absorbing light, which alters regional weather patterns and ecosystem cycles.
  • Snow and Ice Melt: When deposited on snow and ice, it reduces surface albedo, leading to increased melting and further exacerbating global warming.
  • Health Risks: Studies indicate that black carbon exposure significantly raises the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.