Environment ministers should include the topic of propane-butane in discussions on reducing air pollution
Major air pollutants such as fine particulate matter, nitrogen oxide, and ozone cause the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people every year. One way to reduce these dangerous emissions is to switch to propane-butane.
The benefits of using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have long been proven. Since it is stored and transported as a liquid, its distribution is easy. In addition, propane-butane burns as a gas and emissions of fine particulate matter are negligible. Low levels of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and ozone precursor emissions can also be controlled.
When using LPG instead of other fuels and wood, emissions of ozone precursors are significantly lower. A study by the Italian research institute INNOVHUB showed that oil boilers generate more than twice as much fine particulate matter emissions as propane-butane boilers. The study also found that harmful emissions from biomass appliances can be 600 times higher than those from propane-butane appliances. The use of liquefied hydrocarbon gas for transport purposes also contributes to solving environmental problems, because road vehicles using propane-butane as fuel produce much less harmful emissions than other cars.
That is why, on January 30, Samuel Maubanc, Executive Director of the European LPG Association, called for action at a high-level meeting in Brussels on air pollution:
“The time has come for European leaders to take a serious look at propane-butane as an economical, cost-effective, and readily available solution to combat pollution and improve air quality in Europe.”
Source: AEGPL