As we head deeper into the icy grip of Cape Town's winter, cosying up in front of a blazing fire in the comfort of our homes is a luxury that warms both the body and the soul – for those of us lucky enough to own indoor fireplaces.
As we head deeper into the icy grip of Cape Town’s winter, cosying up in front of a blazing fire in the comfort of our homes is a luxury that warms both the body and the soul – for those of us lucky enough to own indoor fireplaces.A new study conducted by researchers from the Faculty of Engineering at Stellenbosch University reveals that while enjoying some extra warmth from indoor fireplaces is a priceless experience, our health may be paying the price.
‘The WHO recommends prolonged exposure to these small particles for no more than three days in a year. Prolonged exposure 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,’ said van der Walt.She conducted the study with her supervisors and colleagues from her department of Industrial Engineering.
To collect air-quality data, they used sensing devices to measure and record the concentration of tiny particles in the air every 11 minutes – 130 times daily. These sensing devices were placed on counters or tables near the fireplace. ‘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.’
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