PB to Cebuanos: Don’t use LPG-filled butane canisters

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Board wants Cebuanos to stop using the liquefied petroleum gas-filled butane canisters.

 During its regular session yesterday, the PB passed a resolution sponsored by Board Members Miguel Antonio Magpale and Jude Thaddeus Sybico urging the public to stop using such products following warning of the Department of Energy.

 The DOE-7 had earlier warned the public not to refill with LPG tin canisters that are previously filled with butane, saying it could trigger fire.

 Magpale said there is rampant practice using non-refillable butane canisters as containers for household LPG among consumers and this may pose danger to their lives and properties.

 â€œIt is essential to undertake research on quality improvement of products and investigation into causes and prevention of products related deaths and injuries,” he said.

 Magpale cited the Philippine National Standard 03-01:2000 which only allows welded steel cylinders with a water capacity of one liter to 150 liters intended for storage and transport of LPG.

 â€œButane canisters are not compliant with quality and safety requirements for LPG refill. As such, it may leak and emit hazardous gas and cause explosions and fire,” Magpale pointed out.

 The DOE-7 appealed to the local government units, especially in the barangay level, to report to its office any refilling plants doing such “illegal” business.

 The agency explained that butane is not the same as household LPG, which has a higher pressure of 480 to 1,050 kilopascals than pure butane with only has 485 kPa max.

 A butane canister costs around P70 each while a butane canister refilled with LPG costs only between P20 to P28 each.

 The Department of Trade and Industry had also issued a warning to the public against the rampant and unsafe practice of using butane canisters as containers for household LPG.

 DTI cautioned that these canisters are not designed for LPG and therefore may pose danger.  (FREEMAN)