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The kitchen is where we prepare our meals, gather as a family and congregate during social gatherings, such as dinner parties. However, there are always some uninvited "guests" that may cause or add to respiratory distress. Here are tips for reducing respiratory irritants in the kitchen:
Although newer gas stoves have a spark ignition coil to light the top burners and oven, older gas stoves have pilot lights that burn day and night. Pilot lights may produce significant amounts of carbon monoxide.
Be sure to adjust burner flames correctly when cooking to reduce carbon monoxide emission. Burner flames should glow blue, not red or orange. When flames are blue, they are at their highest temperature, which means the gas is burning optimally and little carbon monoxide is produced.
Carbon monoxide can be very hazardous to your health. Depending on the concentration in the air, carbon monoxide can cause fatigue, chest pain, headaches, dizziness, nausea or even death. And because you can’t smell it, see it or taste it, you should install a carbon monoxide detector.
Use exhaust fans.
Cooking smoke — which consists of water droplets, grease and other components — is carried by air currents and settles on surfaces, creating a sticky film. But while airborne, cooking smoke can be inhaled and cause respiratory distress to people suffering from asthma or other respiratory ailments. Use your stove's exhaust fan during cooking, and leave it on for a short time after you’ve finished cooking to be sure all the smoke has been cleared from the room.
Store foods in tightly sealed containers.
Mice, cockroaches, ants, flour moths, storage beetles and mites love your pantry and cupboards. Flour moth infestation can be easily acquired from supermarkets. They burrow and lay their eggs within the flour. When the eggs hatch, the larvae find hidden places to pupate into moths. The feces and body parts from these insects and rodents can become airborne and cause respiratory distress if inhaled. To prevent infestation, keep all foods sealed tightly in plastic containers or re-sealable bags.
Clean refrigerator drip pan and coil regularly.
Typically, every time the refrigerator compressor runs, room air is drawn in over the coils that dissipate heat from inside the refrigerator. This air evaporates any accumulated water in the drip pan, distributing any mold spores throughout the room every time the compressor turns on. Clean the drip pan and coil regularly, and add a few tablespoons of salt to the drip pan. The salt controls mold and bacterial growth by drawing water from the microbial cells. Mold and bacteria cannot live and multiply easily in a dehydrated environment.
Some newer refrigerators have “fixed” or permanent drip pans, therefore they cannot be removed for cleaning. However, you can make a cleaning tool that can be inserted into the drip pan to clean it out.
Here’s how to make a drip pan cleaning tool: Purchase a ceiling fan cleaning brush or a behind-the-toilet-sized paint roller (use it without the roller) from the hardware store. Find an old rag, cloth diaper or t-shirt and dip it into a mild bleach solution. Wring out the excess, then wrap it around the brush or roller frame and secure it with rubber bands. Next, slide your tool into the drip pan to clean. Be sure to rinse your tool and allow it to dry after each use, or discard the rag portion.
Fix leaky sinks.
Sinks, like any other plumbing device, may leak, which may cause cabinets underneath to grow mold and rot. Make sure sinks are tightly sealed to the countertop to prevent water and food from getting underneath the sink edges. Promptly fix leaks and remove any traces of mold. Mold will cause respiratory distress in persons with asthma or other respiratory ailments.
Avoid using sponges.
Sponges are open-celled structures that soak up food and water and quickly become optimal sources of fodder for bacteria and mold. When used for countertop cleaning, sponges just spread these around. Consider using paper towels instead of sponges for cleaning countertops and use scrub brushes and dish detergent to clean dishes.
Vacate while the dishwasher is in use.
A vent in the dishwasher door releases air into the kitchen during the wash cycle. Droplets of water splashing out through the vent contain small amounts of detergent that can cause respiratory irritation, so you may want to leave the room while the washer is in use. Make sure the dishwasher drains properly by keeping the food trap clear.
Tips for a Healthier Kitchen: Created on June 29th, 2005. Last Modified on January 21st, 2014
Stacey Lloyd is the lung diseases guide for About.com. She has written many articles about respiratory health and air quality. Stacey holds an M.S. degree in quality assurance and regulatory affairs from Temple University School of Pharmacy, and has worked in quality control microbiology laboratory management in the pharmaceutical industry for more than six years.
