Politics of Poverty

Can crossing headlines avert disaster?

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Headline: Kenya develops unique Bio-Ethanol Gel Biofuel for Kitchen Use,: “resulting in a viscous yellow liquid that burns slowly with a high heat output…” Meanwhile, in the USA: Headline: Feds announce recall of more ethanol fuel gel products: “The recall was made due to serious risks of flash fire and burns when consumers add pourable […]

Headline: Kenya develops unique Bio-Ethanol Gel Biofuel for Kitchen Use,: “resulting in a viscous yellow liquid that burns slowly with a high heat output…”

Meanwhile, in the USA:

Headline: Feds announce recall of more ethanol fuel gel products: “The recall was made due to serious risks of flash fire and burns when consumers add pourable gel to an already-burning fire pot, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission… is aware of 65 incidents resulting in two deaths and 34 victims who were hospitalized with second degree burns of the face, chest, hands, arms or legs.”

So…Kenya develops a bio-ethanol gel just as ethanol fuel gel products are being taken off the shelves in the US because they are not safe.

Is there any chance that there’s a consumer protection agency in Kenya that could catch this potential risk?

A jatropha plantation in Mozambique where crops are used to produce biofuels.  Photo by Brett Eloff/Oxfam America.
A jatropha plantation in Mozambique where crops are used to produce biofuels. Photo by Brett Eloff/Oxfam America.
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