How Does Cooking Pollute Your Indoor Air Quality?
Most people love a good home-cooked meal. They like the smell and taste of them. However, cooking can lower the quality of your indoor air. It throws pollutants in the air. Studies show that homes have two to five times worse air quality than the outdoors. Cooking is a large reason for why this is the case.
Stove
Natural gas stoves can produce many pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and formaldehyde. One study showed that making fried chicken can produce 400 parts per billion of nitrogen dioxide, well above the suggested guideline of 250 parts per billion.
Electric stoves also produce air pollution. They produce high levels of particulate matter. One study showed that stir-frying on an electric stove causes more pollution than when using a gas stove.
At Oconee Climate Control in Eatonton, GA, we offer indoor air quality tests and solutions. We sell and install equipment that improves your air quality.
Oven
Electric and gas ovens emit pollutants like formaldehyde and particulate matter. Self-cleaning ovens produce high levels of pollutants such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. Overcooked food, especially, releases particulate matter into the air.
The most harmful pollutant released by ovens is particulate matter. Fine particulates are smaller than 2.5 micrometers in size while ultrafine particulates are smaller than one micrometer. Both are small enough to enter your lungs. Ultrafine particulates can enter your bloodstream.
Tips to Reduce Cooking’s Impact on Indoor Air Quality
You should always use the fan in your range hood if you have one. It should exhaust to the outside. You should open a window in your kitchen while cooking when possible. You should try not to overcook food and use a lower heat when possible.
Your Heating and Cooling Specialist
Oconee Climate Control offers a variety of heating and cooling services, including installations, repairs and tune-ups in Eatonton. Our technicians are NATE-certified and provide fast, friendly service. Please call us today to find out how we can help you.
