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Fuel restriction – oppression by other means

Motorbikes are the main mode of transport for small scale farmers to transport their produce to the market. Theses people cannot afford to run their motorbikes on petrol anymore. So what do they do? The local motor mechanics will do some small modifications so that these motorbikes can run on kerosene. Two essential parts of these modifications are a small petrol droplet dispenser and a tube leading to the carburetor (see pictures).

To start a cold motorbike engine the rider feeds the carburetor with a few drops of petrol through the tube. The rider will then blow into the tube to give extra air to the carburetor to encourage the engine to start.

As if this gymnastics is not enough, for some motorbikes, it is necessary to blow into the tube and also push the motorbike forward with the feet to encourage a start.

Even kerosene, although cheaper than petrol, is still expensive. In order to save on kerosene the rider frequently blows into the tube to improve the efficiency of combustion and thus be more fuel economic.

All of this continuous blowing into the carburetor comes at a cost. Invariably the rider while blowing is also inhaling the petroleum fumes be it petrol or kerosene deep into his lungs. What are the health effects of this inhalation of petroleum fumes?

Health effects of inhaling petrol and kerosene fumes have been the subject of extensive medical research. These studies have concluded that such inhalations affect the liver and can also cause heart failure. The studies were targeting people who inhale these fumes from the environments where they work.

Direct inhalation that has been forced on the motorbike riders in Vanni will certainly have far more serious effects on the health of these riders.

31 May 2007

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