Kitchen Air Quality Guide: Pollutants, Health Risks and How Ventilation Protects You
If you are concerned about indoor air quality and the impact it can have on your health, you are not alone. Research continues to show that the air we breathe inside our homes affects both short term and long term wellness. Many people are surprised to learn that indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air and the kitchen is often the most polluted room in the home.
Cooking releases harmful particulates, moisture, odors, volatile organic compounds and gases such as nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide. Cleaning products can add even more chemicals to the environment. Without proper ventilation these pollutants remain trapped in the home and accumulate over time.
Proper kitchen ventilation plays a major role in creating cleaner healthier indoor air. This article explains what is entering your home’s air when you cook, what the research says about gas stoves, what health risks are associated with poor air quality and what to look for when choosing a range hood that can actually protect your home.
Learn more about the importance of kitchen ventilation here, “Range Hoods and IAQ: Why Ventilation Is Essential for a Healthier Kitchen”
Recent Research on Cooking with Gas
Gas stoves have been widely discussed due to recent research from Harvard and Stanford. While the findings are accurate, the takeaway is not that gas stoves are the enemy. The truth is that all cooking impacts indoor air quality, regardless of whether you use gas or electric. Heat, oil, food particles and combustion byproducts are released into the air every time you cook.That said, gas stoves do produce certain pollutants at higher levels and these deserve attention. Some of the most notable findings include:
- Around 12.7 percent of childhood asthma cases are linked to gas stove usage.
- 76% of methane emissions from gas stoves happen when the stove is off.
- Methane gas leaks can be undetectable by smell until they reach dangerous levels.
- One Massachusetts study found 21 chemical compounds that are federally designated as hazardous.
- Many chemical emissions from gas stoves rise well above EPA standards for safe levels.
What Specific Pollutants Are Released When You Cook?
Whether you cook with gas or electric, your range releases a variety of pollutants into the home. The most common include:Methane
Gas stoves emit small but significant amounts of unburned methane which is over twenty five times more potent than carbon dioxide. Although methane primarily affects climate change, it is a clear indicator that invisible gases are continuously escaping into your home. Methane concentration in the atmosphere has more than doubled over the past two centuries.
Nitrogen Oxides
These gases are strongly associated with gas stovetops. Even without official United States exposure guidelines, studies show that homes that do not use proper ventilation can exceed Canadian nitrogen oxide safety levels in less than an hour.
PM2.5 Fine Particulates
These microscopic particles come from both gas and electric cooking. Searing, frying and high heat cooking produce some of the highest levels of PM2.5 which can travel deep into the lungs.
Other Chemicals
Depending on your region and local gas supply, cooking can also release benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes which are recognized environmental pollutants.
Health Problems Associated with Poor Indoor Air Quality
Breathing these pollutants without proper ventilation can lead to a variety of health concerns. The EPA notes several risks linked to poor indoor air quality including:
- Eye nose and throat irritation
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Respiratory disease
- Heart disease
- Cancer
The Problem with Many Range Hoods
Many homeowners assume they already have proper kitchen ventilation, but unfortunately this is often not the case. One of the biggest challenges arises from the placement of over the range microwaves. These units save space but rarely provide effective ventilation.Most over the range microwaves only cover the back burners which are not used as frequently. Many are underpowered and have low capture efficiency which means they cannot pull smoke, steam, or pollutants away from the cooking surface. A properly sized range hood should extend far enough over the cooking surface to capture emissions from all burners.
Learn more about the differences here, “Range Hood vs Over the Range Microwave: Why Proper Ventilation Matters”
How to Use a Range Hood Properly
Another challenge is that many people do not know how to use their range hood effectively. A study from Virginia Tech found that only around eight percent of people consistently use their kitchen ventilation when cooking.A simple method improves performance dramatically:
- Turn your hood on five minutes before cooking to begin moving air
- Start on a low speed during prep work
- Increase the speed during boiling frying or heavy searing
- Leave the hood running for at least thirty minutes after cooking to remove leftover fumes
What to Look for When Choosing a Range Hood
Ventilation should never be an afterthought. When selecting a new range hood consider the following:Is it the right size?
The hood should project far enough from the wall to capture emissions and should be at least as wide as your range. Thirty inches is the most common range width but larger ranges may require larger hoods for full capture.
Is it powerful enough?
A general guideline is to choose a hood that moves ten CFM for every one thousand BTUs produced by your range. High performance ranges may require 600 CFM or more.
Learn more about CFM and power here, “Airflow 101: How Range Hood Power and CFM Are Measured”
Where is the air going?
Ducted hoods that vent outdoors are ideal because they remove pollutants entirely. Recirculating hoods are a good solution when exterior venting is not possible but they require proper filter maintenance.
Do you need make-up air?
Hoods that move more than 401 CFM may require a make-up air damper to replace the air being exhausted. This is often part of building code requirements.
Choosing the right hood ensures that pollutants are captured effectively which protects both your health and the condition of your home.
If you have any further questions or concerns about the air quality in your home, we’re happy to talk to you about your options and help you locate an IAQ licensed contractor.