Indoor air pollution and inter-room pollutant transport due to unvented kerosene-fired space heaters

Traynor, G.W.; Apte, Michael G.; Carruthers, A.R.; Dillworth, J.F.; Grimsrud, D.T.; Thompson, W. T.

doi:10.1016/0160-4120(87)90085-7

Cited by 14 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Numerous studies demonstrated that heater design (radiant or convective) is influential on emissions of pollutants (Apte et al 1989; Cheng et al 2001; Leaderer 1982; Lionel et al 1986; Traynor et al 1983; 1987; 1990; Yamanaka et al 1979; Yamanaka 1984; Zhou et al 2000). EF co were, on average, four- to fivefold higher for radiant heaters than for convective heaters; conversely, EF NOx from convective heaters were two- to fourfold higher than from radiant heaters (Table 1), indicative of the hotter combustion temperatures of convective heaters.…”

Section: Human Exposures and Pollutant Emissionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Kerosene: A Review of Household Uses and their Hazards in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Lam

Smith

Gauthier

et al. 2012

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B

343

246

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Kerosene has been an important household fuel since the mid-19th century. In developed countries its use has greatly declined because of electrification. However, in developing countries, kerosene use for cooking and lighting remains widespread. This review focuses on household kerosene uses, mainly in developing countries, their associated emissions, and their hazards. Kerosene is often advocated as a cleaner alternative to solid fuels, biomass and coal, for cooking, and kerosene lamps are frequently used when electricity is unavailable. Globally, an estimated 500 million households still use fuels, particularly kerosene, for lighting. However, there are few studies, study designs and quality are varied, and results are inconsistent. Well-documented kerosene hazards are poisonings, fires, and explosions. Less investigated are exposures to and risks from kerosene’s combustion products. Some kerosene-using devices emit substantial amounts of fine particulates, carbon monoxide (CO), nitric oxides (NOx), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). Studies of kerosene used for cooking or lighting provide some evidence that emissions may impair lung function and increase infectious illness (including tuberculosis), asthma, and cancer risks. However, there are few study designs, quality is varied, and results are inconsistent. Considering the widespread use in the developing world of kerosene, the scarcity of adequate epidemiologic investigations, the potential for harm, and the implications for national energy policies, researchers are strongly encouraged to consider collecting data on household kerosene uses in studies of health in developing countries. Given the potential risks of kerosene, policymakers may consider alternatives to kerosene subsidies, such as shifting support to cleaner technologies for lighting and cooking.

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Section: Human Exposures and Pollutant Emissionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Kerosene: A Review of Household Uses and their Hazards in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Lam

Smith

Gauthier

et al. 2012

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B

343

246

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Reported comparisons of radiant and convective heaters have shown similar differences [3,5,7,9]; however, one study has reported no differences be tween heater types [2]. In the present study, the homes having multistage elements (2, 5) yielded some of the higher CO levels.…”

Section: -22mentioning

confidence: 38%

“…More frequently, tests in chambers and larger homes have been discussed in the literature. Most CO lev els found in this study would appear to be equal to or higher than those reported in similar-sized residences [4][5][6]. While ceiling fans were utilized in some of the homes, adequate mixing of ambient air could not be assumed.…”

Section: -22mentioning

confidence: 53%

Effect on Carbon Monoxide Levels in Mobile Homes Using Unvented Kerosene Heaters for Residential Heating

Williams¹,

Walsh²,

White³

et al. 1992

Indoor Built Environ

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Carbon monoxide (CO) emission levels were continuously monitored in 8 mobile trailer homes less than 10 years old. These homes were monitored in a US Environmental Protection Agency study assessing the effects of unvented kerosene heaters on indoor air quality. Respondents were asked to operate their heaters in a normal fashion. CO, air exchange rates and temperatures were measured during the study in each home. Results indicated that these small homes (<100 m2 internal space), having low air exchange rates/h (<0.5), showed elevated indoor CO levels during heater use. Three of the 8 homes in the study had 8-hour averages above or near the 9-ppm US standard for exposure. Seven of the homes were found to have a significant increase of CO during combustion periods as compared with background levels; one home routinely had levels of 30-50 ppm for prolonged exposures. These results may indicate that consumers using unvented kerosene heaters are being unknowingly exposed to high CO levels and thus not taking proper precautions.

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“…This is a very provocative study that needs to be confirmed. Along the same line of experiments, studies are currently being conducted examining the effects of preexposure to 03 and exercise followed by a nasal allergen challenge (using house dust mite as antigen) on atopic asthmatics (73 (74) and kerosene space heaters (75). Because over one-half of the residences in the United States have gas cooking stoves and Americans spend a large proportion of time in their homes, the residential environment has generally been found to be the most important contributor to the population's total exposure to NO2 (76,77).…”

Section: Pr Iculat Mattermentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations between criteria air pollutants and asthma.

Koren

1995

Environ Health Perspect

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The evidence that asthma is increasing in prevalence is becoming increasingly compelling. This trend has been demonstrated not only in the United States, but also in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, and several other Western countries. In the United States, the increase is largest in the group under 18 years of age. There is mounting evidence that certain environmental air pollutants are involved in exacerbating asthma. This is based primarily on epidemiologic studies and more recent clinical studies. The U.S. Clean Air Act of 1970 provides special consideration to the class of outdoor air pollutants referred to as criteria pollutants, including 03, sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter (PM), NOR, CO, and Pb. Standards for these pollutants are set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with particular concern for populations at risk. Current evidence suggests that asthmatics are more sensitive to the effects of 03, SO2, PM, and NO2, and are therefore at risk. High SO2 and particulate concentrations have been associated with short-term increases in morbidity and mortality in the general population during dramatic air pollution episodes in the past. Controlled exposure studies have clearly shown that asthmatics are sensitive to low levels of SO2. Exercising asthmatics exposed to SO2 develop bronchoconstriction within minutes, even at levels of 0.25 ppm. Responses are modified by air temperature, humidity, and exercise level. Recent epidemiologic studies have suggested that exposure to PM is strongly associated with morbidity and mortality in the general population and that hospital admissions for bronchitis and asthma were associated with PM10 levels. In controlled clinical studies, asthmatics appear to be no more reactive to aerosols than healthy subjects. Consequently, it is difficult to attribute the increased mortality observed in epidemiologic studies to specific effects demonstrated in controlled human studies. Epidemiologic studies of hospital admissions for asthma have implicated 03 as contributing to the exacerbation of asthma; however, most study designs could not separate the 03 effects from the concomitant effects of acid aerosols and SO2. Controlled human clinical studies have suggested that asthmatics have similar changes in spirometry and airway reactivity in response to 03 exposure compared to healthy adults. However, a possible role of 03 in worsening atopic asthma has recently been suggested in studies combining allergen challenge following exposure to 03. Attempts at identification of factors that predispose asthmatics to responsiveness to NO2 has produced inconsistent results and requires further investigation. In summary, asthmatics have been shown to be a sensitive subpopulation relative to several of the criteria pollutants. Further research linking epidemiologic, clinical, and toxicologic approaches is required to better understand and characterize the risk of exposing asthmatics to these pollutants. -Environ Health Perspect 103(Suppl 6): 235-242 (1995)

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Indoor air pollution and inter-room pollutant transport due to unvented kerosene-fired space heaters

Cited by 14 publications

References 7 publications

Kerosene: A Review of Household Uses and their Hazards in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Kerosene: A Review of Household Uses and their Hazards in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Effect on Carbon Monoxide Levels in Mobile Homes Using Unvented Kerosene Heaters for Residential Heating

Associations between criteria air pollutants and asthma.

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