Reduction in air pollution using the “Basa Njengo Magogo” methodology and applicability to low-smoke fuels

Abstract

The Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) piloted the top-down Basa njengo Magogo fire ignition method at Orange Farm during the winter in 2003. In total, 76% of households reported less smoke in the homes, while 67% reported less smoke in the streets after one month of using the method. Work by Nova (Nova, 2003) in eMbalenhle indicated up to a 60% reduction in smoke compared with the conventional method of bottom-up ignition. To support the findings of these largely qualitative studies, the CSIR were appointed by the DME to conduct an experiment under controlled laboratory conditions to gather quantitative data on the reduction in particulate emissions associated with the Basa njengo Magogo method of lighting coal fires. The CSIR was further contracted to assess whether the Basa njengo Magogo technology was viable with low-smoke fuels