Jannie Marie Christensen, Exeter University

1. Air quality within reconstructed
houses as an issue for
staff, visitors and others
MA Jannie Marie Christensen
Exeter University
June 12th
2014

2. 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…

3. 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

4. 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

5. St Fagans National History Museum,
Cardiff, Wales
Two months of measurements during September – November 2014
In 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. House construction
D2 M1
More smoke turbulence were
found in houses without smoke
exits in the roof

10. Summery
Today:
•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
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

11. Acknowledgements
OpenArch
For sponsoring
Department of Conservation, The Danish National Museum, DK
For loan of equipment
Department of Reconstruction at Moesgård Museum, DK
For loan of equipment
Stone Age Park Dithmarschen, GE and their staff
For 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