Does Cooking Cause Indoor Air Pollution?

By Jeremiah Daly - May 15, 2017

Indoor air pollution is often overlooked by homeowners, but air quality can have a major impact on the health of your family. There are a number of issues that can be cause for concern including appliances and utilities, as well as lifestyle choices. This article is the first in a series designed to inform homeowners on potential indoor air pollutants and to give some suggestions for limiting the exposure to these potentially harmful components.

Does cooking cause indoor air pollution?:

Smiley face Yes. According to the research team at Berkley Indoor Labs, cooking can produce pollutants that exceed outdoor air quality standards required by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).

Concerns:

Cooking with gas burners can produce carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ultra-fine particles, and formaldehyde. Electric burners also produce ultra-fine particles.

Limiting the Risk:

Smiley face The best way to combat these pollutants is to have a vented range hood that exhausts to the outside. Turn on the hood before lighting gas burners, while cooking, and leave it on a few minutes after you’ve finished cooking. If you do not have a range hood opening a window can help. You can improve the efficiency of the hood by cooking on the back burners.