SEVERAL children were burned recently when a school van had an accident and its gas cylinder exploded (Jan 5).

While some reported the presence of CNG cylinder in the van, others blamed it on an LPG cylinder. Both of them are dangerous and equally deadly when they catch fire.

CNG is stored in high pressure cylinders which are made of thick sheet metal. Most of them are imported and probably go through stringent testing before they are exported from their country of origin.

The means to transport gas from these cylinders to the engine is by stainless steel tubing which is designed and tested for high pressure connections.

LPG cylinders are made locally under no control from regulatory authorities. LPG is connected to the engine with poor quality rubber hoses and tied with jubilee clamps.

It is heavier than air and sticks to the ground after it leaks while compressed natural gas leaking from any source quickly flies upwards. Ground hugging LPG catches fire from a cigarette butt, live match or any other source of ignition. CNG can only be filled through designated fuel stations where safety measures are deployed.

LPG cylinders can be filled anywhere on makeshift arrangements using physical balances. The chances of LPG leakage from local cylinders or rubber hose, its connections, during refilling or after road accidents compounded and ground hugging property pose far greater accident potential then CNG.

Banning LPG cylinder usage in vehicles should be considered. Public awareness is required for people using it in homes, tandoors and restaurants.

Iqbal Raza

Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2019