Period: 1600-1800 AD

Project title: Luftkvaliteten i danske landbohuse

Researchers:

Kirk R. Smith, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, USA,

Morten Ryhl-Svendsen, Konservatorskolen, Det Kgl. Danske Kunstakademi, Denmark,

and Geo Clausen, International Centre of Indoor Environment and Energy, Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, Denmark

E-mail: mrs(at)kons.dk

Year: 2006

Abstract:

Indoor air pollution from the burning of wood and other biomass fuel for cooking and heating causes 1,5 million deaths every year in the developing countries. Smoke from wood burning contains a string of hazardous emissions, some of them being fine particles that cause lung and heart disease by continual exposure. Especially children, the sick and the elderly are at risk.

The Danish design of hearths in country cottages (after c. 1600) consists of a fireplace placed upon a raised, brick platform. Above the fireplace is a funnel shaped smoke flue that leads up into a brick-built chimney. In contrast to the Danish design, many hearths in third world countries are simply placed on the ground, and the smoke is only extracted through a smoke hole in the roof. Other, more modern systems utilize metal cooking platforms, but these may simply be too expensive to purchase for local families in e.g. India.

Since ‘the Danish design’ does not require any other materials than what may be produced locally (bricks etc.), it is interesting to investigate whether the Danish design might be used beneficially in other parts of the world and thereby reduce people’s exposure to wood smoke in their own homes. Furthermore it is historically interesting to investigate the indoor air quality in the Danish country cottages in 1600-1800, as it would provide an insight into one of the parameters that has influenced public health.

Throughout a week in June 2006, the levels of carbon monoxide and fine particles (under 2,5 um) in the indoor air were measured in Lejre Experimental Centres two country cottages as food was being cooked, water was boiled etc. on the hearths. The air quality was continually measured, daytime and nighttime, around the hearths and kitchens and in the living rooms as well as outdoors. In the following week, where two families actually inhabited the houses, the levels of the wood smoke were continually measured in the rooms of the houses, and the inhabitants were equipped with carbon monoxide measurers.

Concentrations of particles up to 0,125 mg/m3 (24 hour average) were measured around the hearth, while up to 0,08 mg/m3 were measured in the other rooms of the houses. The levels of carbon monoxide were equally the highest by the hearth (for short periods of time up to c. 300 ppm), while the level in the other rooms never exceeded 31 ppm and were usually much lower (0,2-2 ppm). The personal carbon monoxide measurers that were worn by a guest family for two days showed no greater amount of carbon monoxide than <0,3 ppm on average.

Only in the immediate vicinity of the hearths were the WHO guidelines for carbon monoxide exceeded.

Reference number: HAF 21/06