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Stellenbosch University Study Highlights Health Risks of Indoor Fireplaces
A recent study by researchers at Stellenbosch University has revealed that using indoor fireplaces releases harmful particles into the air, significantly exceeding the recommended limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO). This poses serious health risks, particularly in homes with open fireplaces, where these particles can remain elevated in the air long after the fire has gone out.
Indoor Fireplace Health Risks
During the colder months, lighting an indoor fireplace for warmth or having a ‘braai’ (the South African term for barbecue) is common. However, this comfort comes at a cost: inhaling tiny solid or liquid substances that could be detrimental to health. The study, published in Energy Research & Social Science, shows that using an indoor fireplace can release harmful particles that can be dispersed into the air, causing health issues when inhaled. Some particles can settle in the lungs, while others can enter the bloodstream.
While various studies have raised concerns about poor indoor air quality in informal settlements where indoor fires are necessary for heating, this study investigates the impact in formal housing, where fireplaces and indoor braais are common amenities.
Health Implications of Poor Air Quality
“Our results show that the levels of harmful substances released during indoor fireplace use exceeded the recommended guidelines and standards of the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO recommends prolonged exposure to these small particles for no more than three days in a year,” said PhD candidate Rita van der Walt from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at SU.
“Prolonged exposure (months to years) to finer substances has been associated with early deaths, particularly among individuals with chronic heart or lung conditions, and stunted lung function growth in children,” van der Walt added. The study was conducted with her supervisors and colleagues from her department and the Department of Industrial Engineering.
Research Methodology and Data Collection
The researchers examined the air quality in several houses using open and closed indoor fireplaces during winter. They measured the concentration of tiny particles in the air every 11 minutes, totaling 130 times daily, using sensing devices placed near the fireplace.
“Our results suggest that the 24-hour average concentration of tiny particles often exceeds the WHO’s recommended limit of 15 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³),” explained van der Walt. For context, 15 micrograms is incredibly lightweight, equivalent to splitting a grain of table salt into four equal parts, with one part weighing 15 micrograms.
Comparative Analysis of Fireplace Types
“The daily average exposure to these particles showed that, in all households measured, particle levels remained above the recommended limit for a long time after fireplace use. The results indicated periods ranging from slightly less than an hour to more than three hours of high exposure,” van der Walt said.
The study found that open fireplaces produced higher and more unusual particle readings compared to enclosed ones, despite the concentrations being only marginally higher for open fireplaces.
Impact and Future Research Directions
Upon sharing the preliminary measurements with one household using an open fireplace, they immediately ceased indoor fires, leading to a substantial reduction in particulate concentrations and peak measurements.
“As many South Africans may not know about the health risks associated with using indoor fireplaces, these results might inform households on fireplaces and indoor air quality. Hopefully, this would reduce the number of indoor fires or get people to stop making them,” the researchers noted.
The study, though exploratory, lays the groundwork for a larger future study involving more households. This could include lower-income housing where indoor fire-making is necessary for heating in winter, posing potential public health concerns.
Future work may involve conducting interventionist experiments, potentially leading to proactive changes in behavior and indoor environmental practices by making indoor air quality monitoring data available to households.
Reference: “Lifting the unseen smokescreen on indoor air quality due to amenity indoor fireplaces in South African homes” by R.E. van der Walt, R. Jacobs, S.S. Grobbelaar, and M.J. Booysen, published on May 27, 2024, in Energy Research & Social Science. DOI: 10.1016/j.erss.2024.103597.
