Did you know that gas stoves and ovens emit pollutants that can linger in the air long after you’re finished cooking? Sure, gas stoves may be more efficient and provide better quality cooking, but they also pollute the air with carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, aldehydes and other gases linked to nerve damage and respiratory irritation!
According to Rodale, the levels are generally low, but if you don’t have proper kitchen ventilation, these gases can build up over time and cause long-term health problems.
Luckily, there’s a simple solution that appears to remove 60 to 90 percent of pollutants: just cook on the back burners and turn on your exhaust fan.
A new study published in the Environmental Science & Technology found that when back burners were used, even the most inefficient ventilation hoods (or exhaust fans) removed 60 percent of pollutants when foods were cooked on the back burners, and the best – performing fans removed 90 percent – compared with 25-30% when cooking on the front burners.
The study also found that fans removed 60-90 percent of pollutants from the oven, as well.
So turn on that exhaust fan! Don’t be deterred by the noise; a healthy home is worth it.
