The issue of household gas cylinders has been lately brought back to the forefront in light of data indicating that most of these tanks are not eligible to use, while others need immediate repair.
Head of the Fuel Companies Union Walid Deeb revealed that "at least 4 million gas cylinders are being used in Lebanon, with most of them requiring maintenance given that they have been used for more than 10 years."
"Gas cylinders that date back to 50 years do exist in our houses and are being sold in the market," Deeb added.
"Between 50,000 and 100,000 gas tanks need to be discarded while they are instead still being used. 100,000 others need their cock to be changed. The cock costs $8 and the dealer refrain from repairing it. When the companies refuse to refill the gas tanks, they replace it with an already-used one," he explained.
Deeb also pointed out that many gas cylinders are corroded from the inside.
"Five years after their use, the cylinder becomes thin and when it is refilled with gas, it becomes a time bomb," he noted.
"The time bomb is present in every single house while relevant officials continue to trade blame instead of taking an initiative in this regard," he pointed out.
5 out of 100 gas tanks require a valve repair while 1 out of 200 need to be discarded.
Deeb says that the Directorate of Consumer Protection in the Ministry of Economy and Trade is aware about this matter.
What to do?
Walid Deeb says that companies must follow a determined procedure to change the gas cylinders gradually, noting that dealers alone are unable to afford the charges.
It is worth noting that when the tanks are discarded, the iron can be sold, which helps reducing the charge.
"The state can establish a center to exchange need-to-be-discarded gas cylinders in return of insignificant fees," he suggested.
Deeb suggested the use of plastic gas cylinders, which are adopted in US and Europe. Knowing that they are expensive and cost around $100, plastic cylinders are way safer and last much longer.
He also unveiled that there is only one plant that is specialized in the filling and distribution of gas cylinders; however the Bekaa's plant production is limited, and that's why Lebanon imports cylinders, mainly from Turkey.
Unfortunately, other problems seem also to be plaguing this sector. Syrian gas cylinders have been flooding the Lebanese market during the last two years and trucks that distribute gas cylinders are unlicensed.
Moreover, there are also around 80 gas refill centers, including 50 unlicensed stations.
Not to mention also the high probability of tampering with the cylinders' weigh.
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