Council airs health concern for drivers of LPG-run taxis

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council expresses concern about the health condition of taxi drivers whose units were altered so it will run with the use of Auto-Liquified Petroleum Gas (ALPG).

Councilor Eugenio Gabuya Jr. raised this concern after the Department of Health (DOH) announced that there are health hazards from overexposure to LPG.

Most of the taxicabs operating in Metro Cebu were converted to run with the use of LPG, which is cheaper than gasoline.

The DOH said the improper conversion of vehicles to ALPG may cause health hazards because smelling of LPG decreases the level of oxygen in the body. This, according to DOH, could result in death.

Exposure to auto-LPG may result in headaches, pain in the back, nape and chest, cough, dizziness, dry throat, fatigue, muscle weakness, nausea, and difficulty in breathing.

“There is a need to secure the health and safety of the taxi drivers and the commuters,” Gabuya said in his resolution urging the Department of Labor and Emploment (DOLE) to inform the City Council of what are their safety and health standards to this matter.

Some drivers of ALPG-run taxis, in an interview with The Freeman, said they experienced dry throat and muscle weakness.

“Pirmi lang mag-uga ang imong tutonlan mao nga sagad namo nga nag-drive og taxi bisan og air-con ang among units dili mi mabuwagan og tubig,” said taxi driver Felix Ugsimar. (This is why we always bring water with us.)

It was reported that some factors that may result in the emission of dangerous chemicals within the vehicle include inaccurate and improper conversion of vehicle to auto-LPG and the lack of regular monitoring of possible leakage.

Gabuya cited Section 165 of the Labor Code which provides that DOLE shall be solely responsible for the administration and enforcement of occupational safety and health laws and regulations to protect the workers.  (FREEMAN)