Dying slowly as you cook…

[19 March 2010 - 11h16]

Wood, coal and butane gas – although traditional, these methods of cooking are particularly bad for the lungs. Six hundred women from the Ivory Coast who had been cooking 5 days a week for at least 5 years were questioned about what type of fuel they used.

Although all those who used wood had respiratory problems, the results from those who cooked with coal were scarcely any better: in 98% of cases their health was affected. Butane caused fewer problems, but practically one woman in every two still suffered as a result of butane pollution …

Sneezing and obstruction of the nasal passages were also more common among women who cooked on wood (45%) or on coal (38%). 16% of the women who used butane also suffered as a result. Of the women who cooked on wood, one in two suffered from persistent coughing, chest pain and shortness of breath.

Why is this? Because when these natural fuels burn, they pollute the air inside the home. They give off fine particles of nitrous oxide, carbon and benzene. The danger is all the greater as many homes do not have ventilation or a chimney. This pollution results in increased mortality from chronic obstructive bronchopneumonia, dilated bronchial tubes, lung cancer and cardiovascular conditions … so make sure that your kitchen is always well ventilated. And if you have an extractor hood, switch it on as soon as you light the gas hob. Even if it’s just to heat water…

Source : 14ème Congrès de Pneumologie de langue française, Marseille, 30 janvier 2010

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