Using this everyday appliance can be a lot like smoking
There’s a hidden health hazard in your kitchen. And no, I don’t mean from undercooked chicken!
Even if you’re doing everything possible to keep your home safe, this is something you might never think of.
It turns out that a gas stove can cause levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and formaldehyde that exceed public health guidelines.
All three of those toxins are found in secondhand smoke. So even though most smokers have been banished to the outside, we’re still breathing in some of the same toxic fumes just by cooking dinner!
Researchers also found that an electric stove doesn’t totally solve the problem. It seems you can create other toxic substances — also found in cigarette smoke — by cooking with shortening or soybean oil at high heat. This can create fumes that can inflame your airways.
But there’s a simple fix that can clear the air.
By turning on the vent hood fan above the stove. you can reduce this indoor air pollution by 60 to 90 percent. It can also help to use the back burners, rather than the front.
And opening a kitchen window can’t hurt, either.
But still, it does give another good excuse to order out!
Sources:
Label Zostavax (Zoster vaccine live), merck.com
“6 unhealthy habits that are ‘as bad for you as smoking’ Rodale News, Emily Main, March 19, 2014, rodalenews.com
