Air quality within reconstructed houses as an issue for staff, visitors and others

MA Jannie Marie Christensen

Exeter University

June 12th 2014

Risk factors in houses • Today household air pollution is to blame for 4 million premature deaths globally each year.

• Household air pollution is the third-leading risk factor for the global burden of diseases.

• These are respiratory infections, cancers, heart disease etc.

• Open fireplaces• Fireplaces with chimneys• Baking ovens- All using solid fuels…

Exploratory work

• Studies were done with 2 OpenArch partners during 2013

• Measurements in houses were done when they were being used as they usually would have

• Participant measurements were done on the people who were using the houses in the period

Stone Age Park Dithmarschen, Albersdorf, Germany

The reconstructed Flintbek house (D1) (left) and Pennigbüttel house (D2) (right)

One week measurements during July 2013 In two houses and on eight archaeology students from Hamburg University

St Fagans National History Museum, Cardiff, Wales

Two months of measurements during September – November 2014In three houses and on one warden per house (22 different participants)

The re-erected Cilewent Farmhouse (F1) (left), Llainfadyn Cottage (F2) (middle) and Nant Wallter Cottage (F3) (right). After St Fagans National History Museum.

Measurements• Carbon monoxide (CO) each minute near

fireplace• Carbon monoxide each minute near seating area• Personal exposure to carbon monoxide each

minute• Carbon monoxide levels outside• Temperature (temp) every ten minutes near

fireplace, seating area and outside• Estimated particle matter PM2.5 levels

CO measurements• LASCAR EL-USB-CO300 or

EL-USB-CO• Range 0-300 or 0-1000

ppm• - 10˚C - + 40 ˚C• Accuracy ± 6 %• Audible warning at 50

ppm

Results

• Temperature measurements corresponded well with the carbon monoxide levels when the fire was lit in the houses

• Carbon monoxide levels were found to be higher in houses without chimneys

• Carbon monoxide levels were found to be higher in houses having more than one fireplace

• Personal exposure to carbon monoxide varied, but was higher for participants working near fires

House constructionD2 M1

More smoke turbulence were found in houses without smoke exits in the roof

SummeryToday:•Short-term carbon monoxide poisoning levels were measured some places•Levels above WHO CO guideline limit for 8- and 24-hours was measured some places•Different roof constructions had different CO levels in the houses

Future:•Houses can be improved to have better air change •Better awareness of levels of CO and estimated PM2.5•Better air quality in reconstructed and re-erected houses in museums to be used by staff, visitors and others

AcknowledgementsOpenArch For sponsoring

Department of Conservation, The Danish National Museum, DKFor loan of equipment

Department of Reconstruction at Moesgård Museum, DK For loan of equipment

Stone Age Park Dithmarschen, GE and their staffFor loan of houses

Institute of Archaeology, Hamburg University, GE, staff & students For participation

St. Fagans National History Museum, Wales, WLS, and their staffs For loan of houses and participation