Charcoal lighter fluid is a volatile mixture of petroleum distillates sold to accelerate the ignition of charcoal in a barbecue grill. It can be used both with lump charcoal and briquettes. Lighter-fluid infused briquettes, such as Kingsford® Match Light® instant charcoal briquets, that eliminate the need for separate application of lighter fluid are available.
The use of lighter fluid is somewhat controversial as the substance is combustible, harmful or fatal if swallowed, and may impart an unpleasant flavor to food cooked upon fires lit with it. A traditional alternative to using lighter fluid is a chimney starter. The sale of petroleum-based charcoal lighter fluid is regulated in some jurisdictions due to its potential to cause photochemical smog through evaporation of its volatile organic compounds.
source :
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| Charcoal Lighter Fluid |
Smog is a serious problem in many cities and continues to harm human health. Ground-level ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide are especially harmful for senior citizens, children, and people with heart and lung conditions such as emphysema, bronchitis, and asthma. It can inflame breathing passages, decrease the lungs' working capacity, cause shortness of breath, pain when inhaling deeply, wheezing, and coughing. It can cause eye and nose irritation and it dries out the protective membranes of the nose and throat and interferes with the body's ability to fight infection, increasing susceptibility to illness. Hospital admissions and respiratory deaths often increase during periods when ozone levels are high.
Because the use of charcoal lighter fluid is very dangerous for life, we better look for alternative ways or method to igniting charcoal on the grill.
