Church air is 'threat to health'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4026537.stm

Air inside churches may be a bigger health risk than that beside
major
roads, research suggests.
Church air was found to be considerably higher in carcinogenic
polycyclic hydrocarbons than air beside roads travelled by 45,000 vehicles
daily.

It also had levels of tiny solid pollutants (PM10s) up to 20 times
the
European limits.

The study, by Maastricht University, The Netherlands, is published in

the European Respiratory Journal.

The researchers say that December, with churches lighting up candles
for Christmas, could be an especially dangerous month for the lungs.

It is now believed that respiratory health is increasingly at risk
from so-called "indoor pollution" in the home, workplace and other enclosed

spaces.

The Dutch team set out to examine the air quality in churches, as
they
are often poorly ventilated, with candles burning all day, and frequent use

of incense. Both could, in principle, be expected to have some harmful
effects.

Simulated service

The researchers analysed the particulate matter concentration found
in
the air of a small chapel and a large basilica in Maastricht following
lengthy use of candles or a simulated service in which incense was burned.

Fine particulate matter is a major ingredient in air pollution.
Consisting of solid particles with a diameter of 10 microns or less, it
contains different types of toxic chemicals, including soot, metals and
various carcinogenic molecules.

The particles can penetrate very deep into the lungs and trigger
various lung and heart conditions.

The researchers found that, after nine hours of candle-burning, the
church air had PM10 levels of 600 to 1000 micrograms per cubic metre - more

than four times higher than before the start of the first morning mass.

This represents 12 to 20 times the European allowed average
concentration over 24 hours.

The study also found very high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons, also known to be carcinogenic.

New free radicals

It also uncovered various types of free radicals, including some
previously undocumented ones.

Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that damage lung tissue
and can trigger or exacerbate inflammatory reactions, including those
connected with major respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic
bronchitis.

The researchers say priests and people working for long periods in
churches are at greater risk than ordinary worshippers.

However, worshippers devout enough to spend several hours each day in

church could also be affected.

Researcher Dr Theo de Kok said: "While we still have to assess more
precisely what level of risk these people are running and how toxic the
newly identified free radicals are, this discovery is very worrying."

A spokesman for the Church of England said that during candle and
incense-burning ceremonies the doors of churches were often open, with
people coming in and out.

He said many factors would govern pollution levels, such as the
height
of the church, and whether the high level windows were open.

He also took issue with the idea that churches were poorly
ventilated - pointing out that many are notorious for being draughty.

However, he added: "This study certainly bears further investigation,

and we will keep a watching brief."

Dr Richard Russell of the British Thoracic Society, said: "Particle
pollution, whether it be in an outdoor or indoor environment, can be a
danger to lung health and cause respiratory diseases such as emphesyma and
bronchitis.

"More research needs to be done in this area but we would also
recommend that churches look at ways to reduce indoor air pollution such as

improving ventilation."


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