Whether you live to eat or eat to live. The bottom line is that one must eat. The high cost of living, has pushed some residents in Korogocho slums to use plastic bags and sacks as a cooking fuel (source of fire). The residents would use the plastic materials in their jiko’s at home and their small kibanda restaurants; to make meals. Inhaling toxic fumes in the process.
“Burning of plastic waste increase the risk of heart disease, aggravates respiratory ailments such as asthma and emphysema and cause rashes, nausea or headaches, infertility issues, allergies and damages the nervous system,” states a study by United Nations Environment Programme.
A goodwill organisation has answered the plight of the residents that was highlighted by NTV, a local broadcaster earlier this month. The residents were given clean cooking energy stoves. The stoves use environmentally friendly briquettes. Which are made from organic matter as cooking fuel.
“A lot of people are dying here due to respiratory diseases. And also many of them are suffering from eye related problems due to the smoke inhalation from the dumpsite and in their own homes,” Janet Maina- Korogocho resident and community worker.
The clean energy stoves will go a long way in reducing the adverse effects previously caused by the toxic fumes from the plastic bags to both humans and animals. Not forgetting the environment in general.
