Can you do it...?

  • Erstellt am 2012-10-05 11:11:18

gandalf_8175

2015-02-16 16:19:32
  • #1
Never! At least candles always work!
 

gandalf_8175

2015-07-01 15:35:22
  • #2
We probably should all reconsider our candle consumption:

Fine Dust from Candles & Incense Sticks
When red candles spread a cozy atmosphere in German living rooms during winter with their glow, many still have the announcement from the car radio in their minds that the fine dust limits have once again been exceeded in the cities. Road traffic and industry are quickly identified as the culprits in public discussions. For beloved habits such as smoking cigarettes, causation is not even considered and is suppressed. "Fine dust from candles" – that cannot be.

However, the limits for fine dust pollution are particularly often and severely exceeded right within our own four walls. It is not just one or two percentage points, but often pollution levels are reached that are multiples of the limit value applicable outdoors. Nevertheless, the danger zone of the home environment does not enter public discussion.

More Awareness through Facts about Fine Dust, Candles & Co.
Fine dust refers to tiny soot, smoke, and dust particles created by combustion, with sizes below ten micrometers – that is smaller than one hundredth of a millimeter. A size hardly imaginable. When a person inhales such fine dust particles, the lungs are quickly damaged, especially with prolonged exposure. Additional risks exist because some of the particles are highly carcinogenic. Fine dust particles also often trigger allergies. The smaller the particles, the easier and deeper they penetrate into the lungs. Children are particularly at risk.

Limit Value for Fine Dust Pollution (PM10)
The limit valid in Europe for assessing fine dust pollution is 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air (50 µg/m3). This value must not be exceeded. However, researchers in a study with over 100,000 participants found that significant harm can be caused even at much lower exposures.

An annual increase in PM2.5 fine dust concentration of five micrograms per cubic meter of air leads to a twelve percent increased risk for events such as heart attack or angina. For PM10 fine dust, the risk for heart problems rises by thirteen percent if the exposure increases by only ten micrograms per cubic meter of air.

For PM2.5 fine dust (particles not exceeding 2.5 micrometers in size), the EU limit is 25 micrograms per cubic meter in outdoor air. The WHO, on the other hand, recommends a limit of only ten micrograms per cubic meter of outdoor air.

ShareEmitter
39.7%Small consumers/households
38.2%Industry and machinery
7.5%Agriculture
5.2%Diesel passenger cars
5.1%Trucks and buses
4.3%Heating and power plants
Table (no infographic): Share (in percent) of different emitters in total fine dust (PM10) pollution. Source: ÖAMTC (figures: 2010)

The table makes it clear that there is a discrepancy between the publicly portrayed source picture and the facts. Households and industry are responsible for three quarters of the fine dust pollution. Traffic, with its share of just under 20%, is significant but far behind the aforementioned.

Fireplaces, Candles, Cigarettes: the Secret Emitters
While industry has continuously worked on improving its fine dust emissions and the automotive industry has optimized diesel engines in this regard, households have remained in the early stages with their efforts. This is also reflected in the table. And in private households, especially sources such as candles, incense sticks, cigarettes, and fireplace fires cause extremely strong and hazardous fine dust pollution.

Fine Dust Source #1: Cigarette Smoke
Cigarette smoke in enclosed rooms permanently raises the PM10 concentration by 20 – 50 µg/m3 of air. This corresponds to an exceedance of the permissible EU limit by 40% to 100%. This increase in pollution is regularly measured in smokers' homes. Peak concentrations in smoker homes can even reach twenty times the limit value, up to 1,000 µg/m3 of air. While industry strives to stay permanently below around 50 µg/m3, smokers unreflectively accept exposures between 100 and 1,000 µg/m3 of air. This clearly shows that a change in awareness is necessary here.

Fine Dust from Candles
The pollution caused by incense sticks and candles is no less dangerous. Although here the pollution “only” reaches a few hundred µg/m3 of air (still a multiple of the EU limit value of 50 µg/m3), these sources pose a risk for chronic and acute respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and cancer. It is precisely during the cozy moments of the cold season with candle scents and musk and sandalwood fragrances in the air that we harm our health ourselves.

Particularly dangerous: When incense sticks smolder, harmful substances such as benzene and formaldehyde are released. Components like sawdust, resin, and aromatic substances are responsible for this. Burning candles release especially large amounts of fine dust particles: 10 to 20 times more compared to other fine dust sources. Especially annoying: the fine dust emitted by candles remains in the air for hours, thus being continuously inhaled.

Four Measures to Reduce Fine Dust Pollution Indoors
Finally, we would like to present four simple measures on how fine dust pollution can be reduced in enclosed spaces (applies to apartments, communal rooms in businesses, and offices).[ /I]
[I]


    [*]No incense sticks in small rooms such as the toilet.
    In small rooms, fine dust concentration is particularly high. The smoke produced cannot disperse and remains much longer due to the lack of air circulation. Result: a particularly high fine dust concentration and especially frequent inhalation of the harmful substances.

    [*]Check quality/manufacturer of the incense sticks.
    For company parties, one should avoid cheap Indian incense sticks. Very often synthetic base substances like musk ambrette are used in their production. Rats showed nervous system damage in experiments. This substance is now banned in the production of cosmetics. Health consciousness and responsibility are little developed among export-oriented Indians. The somewhat more expensive Japanese incense sticks are made from nobler fragrances and woods – with lower pollution levels. Employees should be worth this.

    [*]Burning candles: only once or twice a week and ventilate thoroughly.
    During the pre-Christmas season, one should ensure that Advent wreaths and candles are not lit daily. Once or twice a week should be sufficient and followed by thorough ventilation of social and work rooms. This keeps the fine dust from candles within limits.

    [*]Wood stoves, fireplaces, tiled stoves: have them checked regularly.
    If wood stoves, fireplaces, or tiled stoves are used for heating in the business (e.g., in gastronomy), regular checks should ensure that the exhaust pipes are tight. Exhaust gases from wood combustion that leak unnoticed into the room can cause strong damage with their fine dust particles, which contain particularly high concentrations of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Moreover, due to their small size, the particles penetrate particularly deeply into the respiratory tract. Children are extremely vulnerable here.



Source: industry-press.com
 

Juliette W

2015-07-02 10:03:45
  • #3
In addition, almost all tealights are made from palm oil, which is mostly not sustainably sourced and is catastrophic for the environment in the producing countries (inhabitants, orangutan etc etc...).

And candles also contribute to the fogging effect.
 

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