Quartz heater: harmful or not?
Operating principle quartz heater is based on infrared radiation, which heats objects that fall into its zone of action (Fig. 1). Surfaces exposed to infrared radiation heat up and release the resulting heat to the surrounding air. This is how the room is heated, which distinguishes quartz heaters from convection models.
The device is called quartz due to the fact that the tungsten filament, which is heated, is enclosed in a glass flask made of quartz (Fig. 2).
This type of device has many advantages:
- destroy microbes;
- increase the amount of vitamin D produced in the human body.
Also, under the influence of infrared radiation, blood circulation is improved.
Is there any harm from a quartz heater? Definitely, it is available:
- Infrared radiation can burn the cornea of the eye;
- the appearance of freckles on sensitive skin is possible;
- with very long exposure, burns may occur.
How to avoid harmful effects from a quartz heater?
A quartz heater, the harm from which is possible only in the case of a very long continuous exposure, is completely safe for humans if the conditions of its operation are observed.
You must follow the following rules in the process of using it:
- it is not advisable to look at the surface of the tungsten filament for a long time;
- indoor humidity should not be more than 90%;
- it is advisable not to be in the zone of action of infrared radiation of a quartz heater for more than 20 minutes (Fig. 3).
If you follow these simple rules, then the likelihood of harm to the human body by a device of the type in question is practically zero.
Excessive infrared radiation is harmful to the skin. Although the quartz glass from which the heater bulb of this type is made partially absorbs radiation, it is still worth positioning the device so that its rays do not directly affect a person.
You should be especially careful about the effects of rays on human eyes. Since this organ is especially sensitive to all kinds of radiation. Excessive exposure may cause discomfort and irritation. Large amounts of infrared radiation reaching the eyes sometimes leads to blindness. That is why it is desirable to place the device not at eye level, but significantly lower (Fig. 4) or higher (Fig. 5).
Today, the quartz heater, which is mostly spoken of positively, is one of the most popular devices for maintaining high temperatures in the house.
Since it has many different advantages:
- energy efficiency;
- relative safety;
- compactness;
- ease of installation and connection.
For the most part, heaters of this type are purchased precisely because of their high efficiency. Consuming a minimal amount of energy, the device heats a fairly large surface area. Which is an undoubted advantage. At the same time, the device is completely safe - if you follow the operating rules. The likelihood of harm to human health is quite small compared to convection heaters.