Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones, enjoy hearty meals, and share gratitude. But while you’re busy preparing feasts and entertaining guests, it’s easy to overlook an important factor in creating a comfortable home for you and your loved ones: your Indoor Air Quality. The holiday activities you cherish can significantly impact the air you and your guests breathe. A study done back in 2018 was done to show the effects cooking can have on our indoor air quality. Let’s dive into what can happen to our air as we cook, and what was found in the Home Chem Experiment to give us an idea of how to keep our air clean, and our guests happy and healthy this Holiday.
The Invisible Pollutants in Your Kitchen
Cooking is an essential part of Thanksgiving, but it’s also one of the biggest contributors to indoor air pollution. High-heat cooking methods such as frying, roasting, and broiling release harmful substances into the air, the main culprit being Particulate Matter (PM). These are tiny particles that can be inhaled and can irritate your respiratory system.
What Is Particulate Matter and How Does Holiday Cooking Increase It?
Particulate Matter (PM) refers to tiny particles or droplets in the air that are small enough to be inhaled. These particles come in a variety of sizes, with the most concerning being PM2.5 (particles smaller than 2.5 microns) and PM10 (particles smaller than 10 mmicrons). Due to their size, these particles can penetrate deep into the respiratory system, potentially causing health issues such as irritation, inflammation, or exacerbation of asthma and other respiratory conditions.
During holiday cooking, PM levels can spike significantly. This is because many cooking methods, particularly those used for Thanksgiving meals, release fine particles into the air.
When Particulate Matter levels rise, they can have immediate and long-term effects on the occupants of your home. Some short terms effects you would sense quickly are irritation of your eyes, nose, and throat, asthma flare ups, discomfort for vulnerable individuals like children, the elderly, or those who have pre-existing respiratory conditions. Long Term effects felt later could be chronic respiratory and cardiovascular issues.
The HomeChem Experiment and How It Relates to Your Thanksgiving Cooking
The connection between Thanksgiving cooking and indoor air quality (IAQ) was vividly demonstrated in a landmark study called HomeChem (House Observations of Microbial and Environmental Chemistry). This 2018 experiment, conducted by leading scientists, explored how everyday household activities like cooking and cleaning impact the air we breathe indoors. Its findings are particularly relevant during holidays like Thanksgiving when cooking takes center stage.
What Did the HomeChem Experiment Reveal?
The HomeChem study provided valuable insights into how holiday cooking can affect IAQ.
Cooking Releases a Cocktail of Pollutants: Researchers found that cooking, especially high-heat methods like frying and roasting, produces significant levels of particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other airborne pollutants. The study’s simulation of a Thanksgiving dinner showed a sharp increase in air pollution, with some pollutant levels rivaling those found in heavily polluted outdoor urban areas.
Cooking fuels, including natural gas, propane, and wood, release both volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide, and particulate matter (PM) during combustion. The combustion process, especially in poorly ventilated spaces, results in the production of these harmful substances that can have adverse health effects, including respiratory irritation and headaches. To reduce exposure, it is crucial to ensure proper ventilation, use high-quality fuels, and maintain appliances regularly to minimize combustion emissions in indoor environments.
The Role of Heat and Ingredients:
High heat caused oils, fats, and other ingredients to release fine particles and chemical compounds into the air. Baking and broiling also contributed to spikes in PM2.5 and VOCs, underscoring that even seemingly “clean” cooking methods can degrade IAQ.
Ventilation Is Key:
Without proper ventilation, pollutants released during cooking can linger in the air for hours. The experiment demonstrated that opening windows, using range hoods, or running air purifiers significantly reduced pollutant levels.
Lessons from HomeChem to Improve Your Holiday IAQ
To ensure a healthier and fresher environment during Thanksgiving, consider these tips inspired by the HomeChem experiment:
- Ventilate Early and Often:
- Open windows or doors to allow fresh air to circulate.
- Use range hoods or exhaust fans during and after cooking, ensuring they vent outdoors.
- Reduce Pollutant Sources:
- Use oils with high smoke points to reduce particulate emissions.
- Preheat ovens and clean burners to minimize smoke and burning residue.
- Employ Air Purification:
- Run an air purifier equipped with a HEPA filter near the kitchen to capture fine particles.
- Test Your IAQ:
- Consider using an indoor air quality test kit to monitor pollutant levels during or after the holiday.
This Thanksgiving, let’s borrow a lesson from science: protecting the air we breathe is just as important as the memories we create. By being aware of how our actions affect IAQ, you can ensure that your home remains a welcoming space for family, friends, and clean air alike.
Here’s to a Thanksgiving filled with gratitude, good food, and fresh, breathable air!
Want to learn more about the air quality in your home? Consider testing it with a trusted indoor air quality kit to take the first step toward healthier celebrations. CLICK HERE
To Learn more about the HomeChem Experiment, you can read more HERE.