Though indoor wood-burning stoves and heaters may have a quaint and traditional feel, they also produce harmful toxins that could damage your lungs and affect the air quality.
Conclusions. We conclude that classroom exposure to low-NOx unflued gas heaters causes increased respiratory symptoms, particularly in atopic children, but is not associated with significant decrements in lung function. It is important to seek alternative sources of heating that do not have adverse effects on health.
In addition to the health risks of pollution, extreme heat itself can take a toll on your body and lungs. Breathing in hot, humid air can exacerbate respiratory conditions like asthma and COPD.
Common side effects
Dehydration: Dry indoor air may lead to excessive water loss from the body, resulting in dehydration. Allergies and irritation: Dust particles or allergens circulated by heaters, especially fan-based models, can trigger allergies or worsen respiratory conditions.
While in use, heaters lower humidity levels in your home and force hot air through dusty, dirty vents, filters and ducts, if poorly maintained. Constantly breathing extremely warm, dry air that may contain fungi, mold and mildew from the vents can affect your skin, nose, throat and eyes.
The main symptoms of wind-warmth lung-heat disease (heat in the lung-wei) are body fever, a swollen and sore throat, cough, and expectoration of phlegm. The struggle between healthy Qi and pathogenic Qi manifests fever.
Radiators heat the air in a room and as the air warms up, it rises in a process known as convection. This causes the warm air to move, which can circulate dust around the room. "If dust is circulated around the room, you can end up inhaling it, which can worsen asthma symptoms," says Jarvis.
Stay hydrated and take antihistamines, if needed
Lizarzaburu recommends drinking plenty of fluids to keep your throat and nasal passages hydrated. "You can also use a saline nasal spray,” he adds.
According to the CDC, carbon monoxide is a silent killer that takes hundreds of lives per year. Unfortunately, you cannot tell just by looking at your furnace whether it is leaking carbon monoxide. You need a carbon monoxide detector or other special equipment to test the levels yourself.
According to the World Health Organization, gas stoves, smoke hoods, and heaters increase indoor air pollution and health risks. Indoor air pollution due to solid fuels increases the risk of pneumonia among children and chronic respiratory diseases among adults.
A room heater does not deplete the oxygen level in a room. The primary function of a heater is to warm the air, and most modern electric heaters do this without affecting the oxygen content. However, if you're using a gas-powered heater, it's important to ensure proper ventilation.
Cold and Dry
Cold weather, and particularly cold air, can also play havoc with your lungs and health. Cold air is often dry air, and for many, especially those with chronic lung disease, that can spell trouble. Dry air can irritate the airways of people with lung diseases.
NO2 levels will rise in a room where an unflued gas heater is in use. Breathing in high levels of NO2 can cause irritation of the respiratory tract and shortness of breath. People with asthma and other respiratory diseases are particularly susceptible to the effects of exposure to NO2.
The term 'heater sickness' isn't a recognized medical condition, but it refers to a collection of symptoms people may experience due to the effects of using a heating system. You may feel drained and achy when your heating unit is operating.
Poor Indoor Air Quality Is Especially Hard on the Respiratory System. Common indoor pollutants such as radon, asbestos, mold, and more go for the ears, nose, throat, and lungs.
Can room heaters worsen respiratory problems? Yes, dry air from heaters can irritate the respiratory system, worsening asthma and allergies. Using a humidifier helps maintain moisture and reduce symptoms.
Pleurisy is an inflammation of the lining of your lungs (pleura) that causes sharp chest pains. The pain is usually worse when you breathe or cough. Viral or bacterial infections, autoimmune diseases and lung conditions are common causes of pleurisy. Some causes of chest pain are life-threatening.
According to the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, inhaling hot air leads to airway inflammation, which can result in shortness of breath or bronchoconstriction.
Sleeping with a room heater on in a closed room can increase carbon monoxide levels, reduce oxygen, and disrupt blood flow to the brain, potentially leading to brain hemorrhage or death.
The best way to prevent a fire is to never leave a space heater running in a room unattended—that way, if anything does go wrong, you can take action quickly. If you have kids or pets that could knock a heater over or drape fabric on it, keep a very close eye on its operation.
Oil-filled heaters are ideal for
They run quietly and keep the heat even after they're turned off, making them perfect for overnight use or for long-lasting comfort without needing to stay on.