The World Environment Day, every year, marks as a reminder for all of us to protect the world we live in. Saving the environment and monitoring our actions which harm the earth is very important in today’s day and age. Outdoor air pollution is a major threat to the environment but so is indoor air pollution. In fact, our homes can be as polluted as the outdoor air. Major household pollution reasons are connected to our kitchen activities and appliance we use which add up to ambient pollution as well as environmental pollution. The harmful gases released in cooking and the combustion of fuel not only pollute the air but also have various health implications. Indoor pollution is also a threat as more and more people spend time indoors. Indoor pollution causes are many, yet a lot of people are hardly aware of them. Here are some ways in which the danger of indoor pollution lurks in your kitchen:
Kitchen gas stoves
The use of natural gas and propane home gas stoves can cause the release of harmful gases like carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. Biogas and coal/wood stoves release methane and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons respectively, which can cause lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.
Poor ventilation
Many kitchen appliances release colorless pollutants. These colorless pollutants filling up inside our kitchens lead to poor ventilation and eventually add to indoor air pollution.
Toasters and the pilot light
Toasters and pilot light release ultrafine particulate matter like nitrogen oxide, which pollutes the kitchen air, leading to more air pollution.
Incomplete combustion
The simple kitchen gas stove that you use at your house might be of abundant use, but it also releases a greenhouse gas called methane that is harmful when mixed in the air we breathe.
Regular and longtime use of such equipment and these ways in our kitchen cause a wide range of health issues like headache, dryness of skin, weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, sinus congestion, allergies, hypersensitivity, sneezing, coughing, fatigue, throat irritation, lung cancer and people with respiratory and heart diseases are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of indoor air pollution.
Ways to take care of indoor air pollution in your kitchen
Once you understand the adverse effects of indoor air pollutions which are caused by your own usage of kitchen equipment, it becomes easier to eradicate the problem from the root. Here are some of the ways in which you can take care of indoor air pollution in your kitchen.
Proper ventilation
Ensure that you have proper ventilation inside your kitchen. Install ventilation shafts, chimneys, exhaust fans to send polluted air out as soon it forms. Also, keep the windows open for cross ventilation when working in the kitchen.
Environment-friendly kitchen equipment
Invest in kitchen equipment that is certified environment-friendly. This way you are not just keeping your indoors safe but also protecting the environment in a way.
Install an air purifier
The best way to get rid of indoor air pollution is by installing an air purifier in your kitchen and home. There are several options available in the market when it comes to air purifiers. You can choose from a range of HEPA air purifiers that make the air in your home pure, healthy and free of pollution.
Now that you understand how badly our kitchen air is polluted due to the various reasons discussed above, it is time to make the necessary changes in our kitchen shopping. Installing an air purifier could be the first step towards making your kitchen air clean and pure.