Your kitchen can be injurious to your health…Know-how

You will read here about indoor air pollution caused by gas stoves or gas cooking, what are indoor air pollution and its examples?

The kitchen has an important place in our Indian tradition, which holds a special place not only from the point of view of Vastu but also in everyday life.

The food prepared in it every day, not only keeps our body healthy but the tradition of cooking and eating together strengthens the relationship between different members of the family.

For this reason, in Indian tradition, the kitchen area is considered the place of God, and it is considered a holy place.

But you will be shocked to know that your kitchen is also the most polluted area of the house.

Interestingly, we worry about the air pollution outside the house but ignore the air pollution inside the house.

What are indoor air pollution

In India, since there is no detailed study or research on indoor air pollution, all the study reports have been taken from outside countries.

Indoor air pollution spread by cooking gas/gas stove

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned in a report that “studies of human exposure to air pollutants indicate that indoor levels of pollutants maybe two to five times — and occasionally more than 100 times — higher than outdoor levels.”

One major contributor to indoor air pollution is the familiar gas stove, which relies on the direct combustion of natural gas or LPG(Liquefied Petroleum Gas). A report finds that “gas stoves may be exposing tens of millions of people to levels of air pollution in their homes that would be illegal outdoors under national air quality standards.”

Research suggests that while cooking with a gas stove, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, PM 2.5 More formaldehyde is released (source) which has a very bad effect on our health.

The most important indoor air pollutant is Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), PM 2.5, Formaldehyde.

Indoor air pollution and health effects

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

• It is an invisible, odorless gas whose overdose can cause dizziness, headache, fatigue, temporary loss of memory, and even death.
• According to a report, even a small amount of carbon monoxide can prove fatal for heart patients.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

• Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is the most well-known name among the air polluting elements and has been studied extensively.
• EPA research suggests that even small amounts of NO2 for a short period of time can be a problem for our respiratory system.
• According to a report, it can cause asthma in children.
• One study found that long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in respiration is linked to heart disease, diabetes, poorer birth outcomes, premature mortality, and cancer.
• One study found that nitrogen dioxide (NO2) has a bad effect on the brain capacity in children.

PM 2.5

• According to the study, it causes temporary irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Coughing, sneezing and cold, and difficulty in breathing.
• Children and the elderly are most affected.

Formaldehyde

• Eye, nose, throat irritation
• A small amount is enough for asthma
• The risk of cancer if it reaches the body for a long time.

Solutions for indoor air pollution

From the above-mentioned information and facts, it becomes clear that many types of harmful polluting elements are released from the gas stove while cooking.

The kitchen should be ventilated to remove these harmful elements immediately so that their quantity may be either very less or become zero.

An exhaust fan or a kitchen chimney can be used to ventilate the kitchen.

read also: How to Ventilate Your Kitchen

Conclusion

The health of children and the elderly are most affected by household air pollution, so efforts should be made to reduce it or keep it at a normal level.