This archive report was first published on 10 May 2021.
Published on May 10, 2021, a study conducted by researchers at the University of Eldoret has shed light on the potential dangers of paraffin in school meals.
The study, titled 'Effects of crude kerosene on testosterone levels, aggression and toxicity in rats,' found that the use of paraffin in school meals may be increasing the sex drive of teenagers.
According to the researchers, paraffin is a distillate of crude petroleum that contains aliphatic, aromatic, and other branched unsaturated hydrocarbons. Students are exposed to doses of kerosene as a dietary supplement, usually without their consent.
The study found that the use of paraffin caused a marked increase in the rats' serum testosterone levels, leading to increased sex drive. The researchers also established that adolescent boys with higher testosterone levels were more likely to engage in aggressive behaviors, such as burning of dormitories.
The study also linked hyper-sexuality among teenagers to a highly sexualized media environment, poor parenting, and peer pressure.
Interestingly, the researchers found that rats served with paraffin-laced meals showed signs of active chronic gastritis in the stomach and clotting disorders, while those that were not served with paraffin did not.
The scientists warned that there may be a need to re-examine the contribution of dietary kerosene supplementation, especially in school-going children, and recommended alternative, effective, and safe ways to control sexual hyperactivity that are scientifically proven.
