We now come to the consideration of the means of providing artificial light, which may be roughly summarized as candles, oil lamps, gas, and electricity. Most people think of candles as a decorative item but they are still used to measure light intensity. If a room were lit with exactly the same quantity of light by each method, the comparative vitiation of air would be: Candles, 1; oil lamps, 0-7; ordinary gas burners, 0-45; incandescent gas burners, 0-27; and electricity (provided the ordinary gas-filled bulb is used), 0. <Callout type="important" title="Air Quality Impact">Candles have a significant impact on air quality compared to other lighting methods.</Callout> Oil lamps are still widely used where electricity and gas aren't available, but they require proper construction and maintenance for efficiency and safety. Coal gas is commonly used for street and building lighting, consisting of illuminants, diluents, and impurities. Calor Gas and Water Gas offer alternatives in situations without public services, though the latter requires careful handling due to its high carbon monoxide content. <Callout type="risk" title="Carbon Monoxide Risk">Water gas contains a large proportion of carbon monoxide, which is dangerous to breathe.</Callout> Electricity is the most satisfactory artificial illuminant available today, offering hermetically sealed bulbs that do not pass impurities into the air and are thus very sanitary. Arc lamps produce carbon monoxide and nitric acid but are used for street lighting where they won't affect ventilation or cause discomfort from glare.
Key Takeaways
- Candles, oil lamps, gas, and electricity are the primary means of artificial lighting.
- Electricity is the most efficient and sanitary method for providing light.
- Different lighting methods have varying impacts on air quality.
Practical Tips
- Use candles sparingly to minimize air pollution in enclosed spaces.
- Ensure oil lamps are properly constructed and maintained for safety and efficiency.
- Install a transformer if you need electricity from high-voltage grid lines locally.
Warnings & Risks
- Improper use of oil lamps can lead to the formation of explosive mixtures of air and oil vapor.
- Water gas contains dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, requiring careful handling.
Modern Application
While this chapter focuses on lighting methods from a bygone era, its insights into the efficiency and environmental impact of different light sources remain relevant. Modern survivalists can benefit from understanding these principles to choose appropriate lighting solutions in off-grid scenarios.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the comparative vitiation rates for air quality when using different artificial lighting methods?
The comparative vitiation of air by various lighting methods is as follows: candles, 1; oil lamps, 0-7; ordinary gas burners, 0-45; incandescent gas burners, 0-27; and electricity (provided the ordinary gas-filled bulb is used), 0.
Q: Why should one be cautious when using water gas for lighting?
Water gas contains a large proportion of carbon monoxide, which is very dangerous to breathe. Therefore, it must be handled with extreme care and all pipes and fittings must be thoroughly gas-tight.
Q: What are the advantages of using electricity for lighting?
Electricity is the most satisfactory artificial illuminant available today due to its efficiency and sanitary nature. Hermetically sealed bulbs used in electrical lighting do not pass impurities into the air, making it a very clean option.