Old night storage heaters – often contaminated with asbestos – PCB – chromate

Depending on the year of construction and model type, night storage heaters can still be heavily contaminated with asbestos and other harmful pollutants such as PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and chromate (chromium VI). In order to measure possible asbestos contamination indoors, GSA measuring devices offers suitable measuring devices such as the SG12 for asbestos measurement.


Night storage heaters – outdated heating technology

Night storage heaters, also known as night storage heaters or low-tariff storage heaters, are electric storage heaters. This is an electrically operated heating system in which electric current heats up the appliance’s heat storage tank.

These night storage heaters were very popular for heating living spaces decades ago, especially in times of low-cost “night” electricity tariffs. In addition, this type of heating is easy to install without the need for complex supply lines in the home. With the night storage heaters, the much cheaper electricity could be used for heating during off-peak periods compared to the “normal tariff” during the day. With the electricity supply, heating is then also possible during the day.

In the 1970s and 1980s in particular, night storage heaters were used in many homes as an alternative to and successor to coal stoves. However, apart from the simple installation of night storage heaters, which only need to be connected to the electricity supply, there are hardly any advantages today. Nowadays, electricity is much more expensive and can usually be obtained without a suitable low-current supply. They therefore represent outdated technology. Another disadvantage is that the heat emitted by night storage heaters during the day causes the temperature to drop more in the evening. This makes it less convenient to regulate the indoor temperature during the day.


Information on possible exposure to pollutants with asbestos, PCB and chromate in night storage heaters is often provided by the year of construction. However, there is no valid date from which night storage heaters are free of harmful substances. The reason for this is that the individual manufacturers started to switch their production to asbestos-free materials or other low-pollutant materials at different times. Depending on the model and year of manufacture, possible hazardous substances such as asbestosPCB or chromate may be contained in the old heating system. It is therefore important to research the “type plate” of the night storage heater or contact the manufacturer for initial clarification. Older models in particular are affected to a greater extent by pollutants.

Pollutants from night storage heaters



Asbestos exposure due to asbestos fibers – especially up to year of construction up to 1984:

It is generally assumed that night storage heaters up to the year of construction 1984 often contained asbestos . Asbestos was used in these heaters as insulation material. For example, asbestos fibers can enter the indoor air and become harmful to health if they hit the heater.


Artificial mineral fibers – especially up to year of construction 1989:

Until the construction year 7/1989, artificial mineral fibers were often used in the storage heaters.


PCB contamination up to year of construction 2000

Carcinogenic PCBs were generally frequently installed in night storage heaters until 06/2000.

Chromate exposure

Many night storage heaters contain chromate-containing core bricks. These harmful chromates are carcinogenic and can form during operation.


Disposal of night storage heaters

When disposing of night storage heaters, any possible pollutant load must be clarified in advance. The TRSG (Technical Rules for Hazardous Substances) apply to disposal.

Dismantling and disposal should be carried out by a specialist company that is TRGS 519 certified. As these are electrical devices, the installations must be professionally loosened, secured and dismantled or removed. In addition, night storage heaters weigh between 80 and 300 kilograms, depending on the model. This is due to the heavy weight of the storage stones. The night storage heaters containing harmful substances should be removed in their entirety for safety reasons in accordance with TRGS. Furthermore, the openings and ventilation slots must be hermetically sealed with tear-resistant foil for their removal.


Asbestos measurement with the GSA measuring devices SG12

To determine whether asbestos fibers have already been released into the air from night furnaces indoors or at the workplace, an asbestos measurement is useful. With the GSA measuring devices SG12, fibre measurements according to VDI 3492 for the measurement of asbestos fibers according to VDI 3492 and ISO 14966 are possible. Due to its special performance, the SG12 can be used stationary for particle measurements of the various dust fractions such as A-dust or E-dust with a measuring volume of 8 l/min.


Old night storage heaters – often contaminated with asbestos – PCB – chromate: Answers to five frequently asked questions

1. What are the specific health risks associated with exposure to asbestos, PCBs and chromate?

Exposure to asbestos can increase the risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma.


2. Are there ways to safely remove or replace a night storage heater if it contains asbestos, PCBs or chromate?

It is important that this work is carried out by professionals to ensure safe handling and disposal of potentially hazardous materials.



3. how can the energy efficiency of night storage heaters be improved in order to reduce the cost of electricity?

You can improve the energy efficiency of these night storage heaters by setting them correctly and taking the weather forecast into account. You can also reduce costs by switching to a cheaper electricity tariff.



4. Are there alternatives to night storage heaters that are more environmentally friendly and harmless to health?

There are alternatives to these heating systems that are more environmentally friendly and harmless to health. These include modern storage heaters, central heating systems, heat pumps and infrared heaters.


Sources:

Featured image: own source: SEM image of chrysotile asbestos, resolution: 3000x (1280x 960px)

www.augsburger-allgemeine.de/themenwelten/Energie-Giftige-Mitbewohner-alte-Nachtspeicherheizungen-id43317741.html

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