In the age of COVID-19, indoor air quality is more important than ever before. The National Library of Medicine (NIH) conducted a study that found roughly 90% of Americans spend the majority of their time indoors. Meaning, the quality of the air we breathe inside our homes is of great importance to our health and wellness.
One part of this story that most of us never think about is how cooking can affect indoor air quality. But just because we don’t think about it, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist. Indoor air quality testing reveals a wealth of gaseous byproducts that are emitted into our home’s environment through cooking with gas.
The Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) released a report, pouring over two decades’ worth of peer-reviewed studies, about how gas stoves may be exposing Americans to indoor air pollution at levels that are considered illegal by outdoor standards. That should be alarming to everyone. Let’s take a closer look at indoor air quality testing and how cooking can affect indoor air quality.
How Cooking Can Affect Indoor Air Quality
Before going any further, let’s not conflate the topic and the findings. Cooking indoors is safe, given certain parameters and being mindfully aware of proper ventilation. Gas stoves use natural gas for fuel. According to the studies and evidence at hand, natural gas companies have fought long and hard to keep regulations on gas stoves to a minimum.
As the debate over cooking pollution rages on, it should be known that cooking of any kind will emit some pollutants into your indoor environment, however trivial. Even ultrafine particles that are measured in nanometers can irritate compromised respiratory systems and upset individuals that are more sensitive to noxious gases.
Use common sense as your guide. If you are cooking indoors, make sure your kitchen is properly ventilated. If your nose is picking up a scent or odor that isn’t familiar, open a window and air out the space. Conducting indoor air quality testing will also help bring clarity to this elusive health hazard.
