The excess heat can also cause the hearth floor to crack. Get air quality information: If there is an active fire in your area, follow your local news, the airnow.gov website or your state air quality website for up-to-date information. The heat in the room can be absorbed by the glass doors. What states have banned ventless gas fireplaces? If you have asthma or another lung disease,make sure you follow your healthcare providers directions about taking your medicines and following your asthma action plan. Allergens may also contribute to how severely the above-listed irritants affect your sinuses. Wood smoke hashealth effectslike lung cancer, wheezing and premature death, too. Long-term exposure to high levels of NO2 can lead to chronic bronchitis. The holiday season is already stressful, add a Christmas cold or sinus infection, and it can genuinely become intolerable. Wood fireplaces can provide a pleasing aroma and other pleasing characteristics for your home, but they can pose significant safety risks. Consider buying an audible carbon monoxide alarm that meets EU or US standards. Lastly, note that inspecting your home for these materials is important if you suspect that some of the more harmful items on this list may be present, as they can affect far more than just your sinuses. July 11, 2005 -- Mexican researchers say wood smoke may cause lung cancer in nonsmokers. It is almost impossible for a ventless fireplace to cause a dangerous level of CO2 concentration in a house. Our website is full of reviews and information from reliable sources to help you choose the best equipment. Never use an unflued gas heater in a bathroom, bedroom or caravan. While allergies and other conditions add to sinus congestion, food is the first place to explore. If you leave your fireplace on for more than three hours at a time, you are putting yourself at risk. Exposure to this gas can cause a number of symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, and nausea. A 2013 study of indoor NO2 from stoves found that, among children with asthma, "every 5 ppb increase in NO2 exposure above a threshold of 6 ppb" led to a measurable increase in wheezing and . Here are the top four things to remember: 1. However, when the heated and dry air is inhaled, it will harden the mucus and cilia (small hairs lining the sinuses and nose), making your nasal passages parched. If you have a gas fireplace, you may be wondering if they are dangerous. Keep the filter clean to prevent bringing additional smoke inside. Gas fireplaces are actually very safe when used correctly. Get your heater serviced if: Manufacturers and suppliers usually have recommended service agents. #2 A headache that feels like a band is squeezing your entire head. The wood you burn in your fireplace should have a moisture content of about 10-20%. When choosing between wood-burning fireplaces and gas logs, there is probably no perfect choice that will eradicate the risk of triggering allergies and breathing harmful substances. If you use natural gas, you can run your fireplace for up to four hours before you need to refill. How do I know if my fireplace has carbon monoxide? 1. Discuss when to leave the area, how much medicine to have on hand, and your asthma action plan if you have asthma. According to Do It Yourself, there is no smoke or soot with a natural gas fireplace, so allergy sufferers can breathe easier, according to The Mayo Clinic. Anyone may experience burning eyes, a runny nose, cough, phlegm, wheezing and difficulty breathing. Sinus congestion is often caused by acid and pepsin getting into the sinuses which leads to inflammation and irritation which makes the sinuses feel congested and generally irritated. Related: 7 Best Electric Fireplaces Under $300. Carbon monoxide can be produced by gas appliances. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Policy. That just puts more pollution in your home. I was also told to take 2000 IU of Vitamin D3 since the high dose can affect calcium uptake. As digestive bacteria break down food, little pockets of air are created in the process. Be advised by your licensed gasfitter. The following people are at increased risk from air pollutants, including carbon monoxide: Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include: Long-term exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide can also lead to impaired thinking and concentration, emotional changeability, irritability and impulsiveness. Fireplace maintenance. The main concern with gas fireplace fumes is carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. When exposed to high levels of radon over extended periods of time, you are more likely to develop lung cancer. For top-quality gas fireplace services, call Chimney.com at (301) 761-2228, or contact us online to arrange your free estimate! Very high levels of carbon monoxide can cause loss of consciousness, seizures and death. Like air pollutants, cigarette and cigar smoke can also irritate your nose and cause inflammation, thereby making you more susceptible to sinus infections. If you allow a gas fireplace to stay on for more than three hours at a time, you should lose your job. Do I need to open the damper on a gas fireplace? Health problems that seem to be worse or only occur when the heating is on may be caused by carbon monoxide from a faulty gas heater. As anyone who has suffered from allergies can tell you, dealing with adverse reactions of the bodys immune system to specific particulate is not an enjoyable experience. What can I do to treat and prevent dry sinuses? Home gas fireplaces can be dangerous if they are not properly installed or maintained. For many, these measures may need to be combined with nasal steroid sprays, saline rinses, antihistamines, decongestants or allergy shots. The smell of burning gas can cause sensitivity, headaches, and other issues in some people. Gas fireplaces are safe when used correctly, but can be dangerous if not used properly. Children should always be closely supervised near animals and taught how to behave safely around pets. 8. 3. The average price of natural gas in the US in 2020 was about $1 per therm. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Here are some steps you can take to protect your health: If you have heart, vascular or lung disease, including asthma, talk with your health care provider. Gas fireplaces, gas stoves and inserts all use sealed combustion technology, which means all combustion air comes from the outside. Can opening a window help with carbon monoxide? Winter finds us indoors more than the summer months, exposing us to forced air heat (a leading heat-source in the United States), which can be particularly drying to our sinuses, our throats, our skin and our eyes. Please click here to see any active alerts. Narrow sinuses. Vent-Free fireplaces have caused a lot of controversy in the fireplace industry. causes of acidity: 1.binge eating.2.consuming food stuff like chocolates, fatty food, spicy food, non-vegetarian food and coffee.3.smoking, tobacco chewing, alcohol.4.intake of medicines like aspirin, antibiotics, nsaids.5.stress and depression.6.gerd (gastro oesophageal reflux disease), peptic ulcer etc these all will bring a bloated abdomen and You will save money on gas utility bills if you use a ventless fireplace. Chronic sinusitis usually persists longer than 10 days, but the symptoms are the same. Installation of carbon monoxide detectors and sitting away from the fireplace are ways to reduce the risk. Wood burning fireplaces have a higher risk of injury. Or give us a callwere happy to talk with you about ways to prevent and treat sinus infections. Fertility and the reproductive system - male, Fertility and the reproductive system - female, Seeing a doctor, specialist or health professional, Department of Health State Government of Victoria, After a flood animal and insect related hazards, Multilingual health information - Health Translations Directory, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/about/privacy, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/about/terms-of-use, Health problems linked to faulty gas heaters. Heaters dry out the air and . If you have a gas fireplace, you may be wondering if they are safe. Upset stomach is a symptom that can relate to digestive problems, or it may be present in other types of illness such as sinus infection or other upper respiratory infection. Cleveland Clinic 1995-2023. Can you leave gas fireplace pilot on overnight? 2. Cooking - especially frying and broiling - can add to indoor pollution levels. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. But did you know that gas fireplaces can actually explode? That is, if your setup is a true. Under these laws, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) evaluates the risks of new and existing chemicals and works to prevent or reduce pollution beforeit gets into the environment.Decreasing environmental pollution is now considered a key element in reducing health problems in the United States. An official website of the United States government. And don't smoke. That takes you in the opposite direction, though. Run your air conditioner, if you have one. Skip to content. Another reason your gas fireplace won't stay lit could be the thermocouple. If you smell gas near your fireplace, this is also a cause for concern. Carbon monoxide is colourless and odourless. Do not try to fix the problem yourself leave that to the professionals! However, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind in order to prevent any accidents. Is a carbon monoxide detector capable of detecting a gas leak? If they are registered and licensed, they will have a photo ID card that states what kinds of work they are allowed to do. The answer is a definite yes. Cold, dry air can be created by a temperature drop in the winter. This membrane is susceptible to various infections. They can cause a range of health problems, from burning eyes and a runny nose to aggravated chronic heart and lung diseases. Why does my fireplace give me a headache? Another danger sign is soot on the glass doors or on the surrounding walls. If you are experiencing concerning symptoms that do not improve over time, seek the advice of your doctor. If your unit is getting both power and spark, the next phase of the troubleshooting process involves making sure it's receiving gas. The State of Victoria and the Department of Healthshall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Is it OK to leave fireplace on overnight? Here are some things to look for: Fames should be blue: A gas fireplace that produces mostly yellow or orange flames may be burning inefficiently and could be a safety hazard. How long does carbon monoxide poisoning take to show symptoms? To ensure proper venting, however, a liner must first be installed in the chimney. Never leave a gas fireplace unattended. Wood fireplaces are not as safe as gas fireplaces. This could be a serious safety hazard. Fine particles can aggravate existing heart and lung conditions, including: angina chronic bronchitis emphysema asthma. there is any sign of trouble get it serviced immediately. Fireplace Burner. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. If there is a problem with the homes inhabitants are at risk. Smoke is made up of a complex mixture of gases and fine particles produced when wood and other organic materials burn. Strange smells: If you smell something strange coming from your gas fireplace, it could be a sign of a gas leak. Gas fireplaces create air that is moist and dry air that is dry. These types of logs don't have a chimney or vent to remove the fumes produced by the fire, so the smell is typically stronger. It can also cause snoring. If you are intending to purchase CO alarms, consider alarms that provide visual and audible alarms indicating when the electrochemical sensing cell has expired. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Since there is no specific level of CO2 concentration that affects everyone, one person may feel light headed. The smell of the logs isnt as strong because they dont have a chimney or vent to remove fumes from the fire. When the cord is plugged straight into the wall, without the adapter, the fireplace can be turned on manually with the switch on the unit itself. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Make sure that your chimney is in good condition and is able to ventilate the gases properly. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. Have at least a five-day supply of medication on hand. Bananas are rich in carbohydrates but when having sinus problems, it is better to avoid this fruit; it can exacerbate the symptoms of sinusitis because it can cause inflammation. Small gas leaks accumulate over a period of time and add a significant amount of pollutants that stress the immune system and other bodily functions. Gas accumulates in the digestive tract through eating (swallowing air) or bacterial fermentation. 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