Post by LeoIt was published by Taiwan public media, I don't know whether they have done
any scientific studies on it. The people comment this is base on their
knowledge on 90% Isopropyl Alcohol property, of course the are not Tom Dick
and Harry.
Information on the web (at least what I managed to find) is limited.
IIANM, the catalytic burner is supposed to burn of the isopropyl
alcohol (together with something called ozoalcool) to produce ozone.
I can't tell if isopropyl alcohol is actually released into the air.
Anyway, here are two news articles on this.
Aromatherapy oil can be explosive
2003/8/13
TAIPEI, Taiwan, The China Post Staff
Essential oil can be a bomb, as six explosion cases involving
aromatherapy have left eight people ? the youngest of whom is only
four ? badly burnt this year, a Taipei foundation helping burn victims
warned yesterday.
"We call on all victims to declare war on the essential oil bomb,"
urged Chen Shu-lan, director of the Sunshine Social Welfare Foundation
at a press conference held to reveal the ordeal of the victims of
aromatherapy.
She said 90 percent of most essential oil ? which is claimed to be
antiseptic, and helpful in strengthening the immune system ? is highly
inflammable propyl alcohol.
Explosions usually occurs when users light the wicks of the oil lamps
after refilling them with essential oil, she said.
But the merchants fail to warn of the danger, or instruct consumers
the correct way of using the oil, she said, adding legal action has
been taken against the producers and importers of the essential oil.
"Why did you buy the dangerous essential oil. Other kids are having a
happy summer vacation, but why do I have to undergo the operation?"
10-year-old "Hsiao Yu" was quoted by newspapers as complaining to her
mother, as she waited in a hospital for doctors to operate on her.
"Hsiao Yu" suffered serious burns when the essential oil lamp her
mother was lighting exploded.
Eight-year-old "Hsiao Hsuan" was another victim who has undergone more
than 20 operations.
Hsiao Hsuan's mother said she spent NT$6,000 on the oil, thinking it
would help relieve her son's breathing problems.
The mothers of Hsiao Yu and Hsiao Hsuan, recounting their ordeal at
the press conference, both said they "don't want to live," as they
knelt down before a Department of Health official asking for an
investigation.
Aromatherapy has enjoyed fast growing popularity, but Chen said the
government has turned a blind eye to its potential danger.
When complaints were filed with the Economics Ministry, which licensed
the essential oil products, officials there said it was none of their
business, Chen said.
The oil may cost only NT$150 to produce, but it is usually sold at
marked up prices more than tenfold, Chen said.
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Lamp importer faces charges after explosions
2004/5/4
TAIPEI, Taiwan, The China Post Staff
The public prosecutors' office in Taipei will press charges against
the importers of Lampe Berger after it found the company's essential
oil lamps to be the cause of a series of explosion accidents.
It was reported that two importers of the essential oil lamps will be
charged with fraud, business negligence and battery for falsely
promoting the healing effects of Lampe Berger products, which in fact
could be toxic and cause headaches, nausea, vomiting and even death,
the China Times Express reported.
Further, the importers are accused of profiteering from the essential
oil products, which they acquired at about NT$100 per liter but sold
for NT$1,320 per liter by boasting alleged healing effects for
respiratory diseases.
The lack of safety of essential oil lamps caught the public attention
after a series of explosions were reported last year, causing various
degrees of injuries to their users.
Lampe Berger's local representatives held a press conference
demonstrating the safety of its products at that time, claiming that
the accidents were probably caused by low-quality counterfeits or
improper usage.