Hidden dangers of indoor fireplaces and how South Africans can keep safe
|Published
FOR GENERATIONS, fire has been a vital part of South African homes, providing warmth and a means to cook meals, especially in the rural areas and informal settlements.
However, new research from Stellenbosch University has uncovered hidden risks associated with indoor fireplaces.
While many families rely on these fires daily, it’s essential to understand the potential dangers that come with them. This discovery is relevant South Africans who cherish the comfort and utility of an indoor fire, as it sheds light on how to keep our homes warm and safe.
During the cold winter months, it’s nice to light an indoor fireplace for extra warmth or enjoy an occasional “binnebraai”. However, you might be inhaling tiny particles that could be harmful to your health.
A new study published in “Energy Research & Social Science” by researchers from Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Engineering found that indoor fireplaces can release harmful particles into the air.
These particles can settle in the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, leading to health problems.
The researchers said while many studies have highlighted poor indoor air quality in informal settlements, where fires are made indoors for heating, the impact in formal housing, where fireplaces and indoor braais are used for comfort and enjoyment, has not been thoroughly investigated.
“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,” said PhD candidate Rita van der Walt from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Stellenbosch University, who led the study with her team at the university's Department of Industrial Engineering.
During winter, they examined the air quality in homes with open and closed indoor fireplaces. Van der Walt explained the importance of understanding the impact of particles released from indoor fireplaces, on air quality and health.
To gather data, they used sensors to measure tiny particle concentrations every 11 minutes, totalling 130 readings daily. These sensors were placed near the fireplaces on counters or tables.
“Our results suggest that the 24-hour average concentration of tiny particles often exceeds the WHO’s recommended limit of 15 micrograms per cubic metre,” Van der Walt said.
"Fifteen micrograms is very tiny. If you were to split a grain of table salt into four parts, one part would weigh 15 micrograms."
They found that particle levels in all the households studied stayed above the recommended limit for long periods after using the fireplace, ranging from just under an hour to more than three hours of high exposure.
One of the households involved in the study immediately stopped using their open fireplace after seeing the preliminary measurements. This led to a significant reduction in the levels of harmful particles in their home.
Health implications
These findings are relevant for South Africans who may not be aware of the health risks associated with indoor fireplaces.
The study highlights that open and enclosed fireplaces can release harmful particles that can settle in the lungs or enter the bloodstream, leading to serious health issues.
This is a concern not just for informal settlements, where indoor fires are often a necessity, but also for formal housing where fireplaces are used for comfort and enjoyment.
“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,” Van der Walt said.
Actionable steps to reduce harm
To mitigate the risks associated with indoor fireplaces, here are some practical steps South Africans can take:
1. Improve Ventilation: Ensure your home is well-ventilated when using an indoor fireplace. Open windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate and reduce the concentration of harmful particles.
2. Use cleaner fuels: Opt for cleaner-burning fuels such as natural gas or propane instead of wood or coal. These fuels produce fewer harmful particles.
3. Regular maintenance: Keep your fireplace and chimney well-maintained and clean to ensure efficient burning and reduce the build-up of harmful particles.
4. Air purifiers: Consider using air purifiers with Hepa filters to help reduce indoor air pollution.
5. Limit indoor fires: Use indoor fireplaces sparingly and only when necessary. Explore alternative heating options such as electric heaters.