Cape Times

Hidden dangers of indoor fireplaces and how South Africans can keep safe

FOR GENERATION­S, fire has been a vital part of South African homes, providing warmth and a means to cook meals, especially in rural areas and informal settlement­s.

However, new research from Stellenbos­ch University (SU) has uncovered the hidden risks of indoor fireplaces.

During the cold winter months, it's nice to light an indoor fireplace for extra warmth or enjoy an occasional binnebraai. But you might be inhaling tiny particles that could be harmful to your health.

The new study published in “Energy Research & Social Science” by researcher­s from SU's Faculty of Engineerin­g found that indoor fireplaces can release harmful particles into the air. These can settle in the lungs and 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 SU, who led the study with her team in 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 World Health Organizati­on'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 those 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:

Improve ventilatio­n: Ensure that 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.

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.

Regular maintenanc­e: Keep your fireplace and chimney well-maintained and clean to ensure efficient burning and reduce the build-up of harmful particles.

Air purifiers: Consider using air purifiers with Hepa filters to help reduce indoor air pollution.

Limit indoor fires: Use indoor fireplaces sparingly and only when necessary. Explore alternativ­e heating options such as electric heaters.