The impact of electric overhead radiant heating on the indoor environment of historic churches

The impact of electric overhead radiant heaters on the microclimate, air flows, transport and deposition of suspended particulate matter (SPM) was monitored between March 2004 and March 2005 in the historic churches of Saint Michael Archangel in Szalowa and Saint Catherine in Cracow (Poland). The measurements show that although irradiation at the floor level increases temperature and reduces relative humidity in the interior of the church, the effect out of the heated zone and for the surfaces sheltered from irradiation is very limited, i.e. their extent is comparable with natural fluctuations inherent to the local climate of the church. The radiant heaters proved to generate little convectional flow of the air. Therefore, the heating system was not found to increase the concentration of SPM indoors; in particular, no re-suspension of particles already present in the church was observed. This work has demonstrated that the overhead radiant heaters are capable of providing localised heat to the areas where people congregate without adversely affecting painted walls and the works of arts displayed in churches. Care, however, should be taken that sensitive works of art are not exposed to the direct infrared radiation.     

A critical analysis of the Nollywood film Osuofia in London

This article analyzes Nigeria’s Nollywood film Osuofia in London [Ogoro, K. (Producer & Director). (2003/2004). Kingsley Ogoro Productions] to understand how the film synthesizes African and Western cultural identities via the prisms of hybridity and postcolonial theory. The paper uses a critical approach within the contexts of three tenets (African, Western, and hybrid) to read the film. The analysis resulted in five themes: African/folk belief systems and Christianity; traditional Igbo attire and English garb; African/folk music and Western music; African and Western food and drinks; and African/traditional medicine and modern medicine. The analysis indicates that unequal power relations and the forces of globalization are inescapable. Even though the protagonist, Osuofia, challenges the Western ideology, he reproduces it as well.     

Influence of different types of heating systems on particulate air pollutant deposition: The case of churches situated in a cold climate

The influence of three types of heating systems (electrically heated pews, hot air blow heating and provisory electrical (infrared) heaters) on the transport and deposition of particulate pollution was investigated in churches located in a cold climate. Two methods were applied for the analysis of aerosol samples collected inside and outside the churches: energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis and electron probe X-ray microanalysis. The results show that all the heating systems re-suspend the particulate matter brought from outside. However, the extent of re-suspension of the systems is different. It is also shown that the hot air blow heating, – the oldest design of the studied systems, – warming the church by blowing in hot air could generate organic particles. Such particles can cause soiling, and/or blackening of works of art present in the church. The application of this heating system also provoked the deterioration of the plastered walls, thus leading to the creation of an extra internal source of Ca. The other two heating systems (more modern) demonstrate less influence on the works of art regarding aerosol deposition.