Well that thread certainly took off.
Lots of questions about ventilation, what monitor I used, and what you should do if you have a gas stove.
So here's... another thread π§΅
Lots of questions about ventilation, what monitor I used, and what you should do if you have a gas stove.
So here's... another thread π§΅
https://twitter.com/curious_founder/status/1481746460378992641
First, let's talk ventilation (i.e. range hoods, fans, etc).
The most common question I got was: "If I use my range hood am I safe?"
Yes and no.
The most common question I got was: "If I use my range hood am I safe?"
Yes and no.
All cooking -- whether you use gas or electric -- produces PM2.5 pollution.
Basically when you cook food, little particles that are smaller than a human hair start flying around your kitchen.
That stuff isn't good to breathe.
Basically when you cook food, little particles that are smaller than a human hair start flying around your kitchen.
That stuff isn't good to breathe.
Using a proper range hood -- a powerful one that vents to the outside -- reduces PM2.5 levels.
And it'll work even better if you use the back burners.
So if you have a hood that vents to the outside, use it.
And it'll work even better if you use the back burners.
So if you have a hood that vents to the outside, use it.
But here's where things get a bit complicated.
Cooking with gas is different than cooking with electricity in that it produces NO2.
That's the stuff that causes respiratory illnesses like asthma.
Cooking with gas is different than cooking with electricity in that it produces NO2.
That's the stuff that causes respiratory illnesses like asthma.
In 2014 a group of researchers ran side by side tests in 100 homes.
They split them up into 3 groups:
Group 1 had their gas stove replaced with an electric one. Group 2 had a HEPA and carbon filter installed. And Group 3 got a new range hood.
They split them up into 3 groups:
Group 1 had their gas stove replaced with an electric one. Group 2 had a HEPA and carbon filter installed. And Group 3 got a new range hood.
So what did they find?
Switching to electric was by far the most successful intervention. It reduced household NO2 levels by 50%.
The air filter was the next most effective. It cut NO2 by 20%.
The range hood didn't do anything to reduce NO2.
Switching to electric was by far the most successful intervention. It reduced household NO2 levels by 50%.
The air filter was the next most effective. It cut NO2 by 20%.
The range hood didn't do anything to reduce NO2.
You can read the full peer-reviewed paper here - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/Pβ¦
But the takeaway is this:
The most effective thing we can do to improve indoor air pollution is stop installing gas.
But the takeaway is this:
The most effective thing we can do to improve indoor air pollution is stop installing gas.
That's not to say we shouldn't use ventilation.
Again, PM2.5 is caused by all cooking. And range hoods help reduce that stuff.
But we can't pretend that installing gas stoves w/ ventilation is a good solution.
Again, PM2.5 is caused by all cooking. And range hoods help reduce that stuff.
But we can't pretend that installing gas stoves w/ ventilation is a good solution.
The second most common question I got was: "What air monitor did you use?"
I used the @uhooair
It's one of the rare consumer-grade (i.e. not crazy expensive) options that measures N02.
I used the @uhooair
It's one of the rare consumer-grade (i.e. not crazy expensive) options that measures N02.
If you're looking for a professional-grade monitor, this is what @jlashk recommended to me - aeroqual.com/products/s-serβ¦
But it's not cheap ($1,000+).
But it's not cheap ($1,000+).
And lastly, a lot of people asked "Should I ditch my gas stove?"
This one is tricky.
As I wrote in the full length article, my wife and I are still deciding what we should do.
We just moved into our house and aren't sure how long we want to stay.
This one is tricky.
As I wrote in the full length article, my wife and I are still deciding what we should do.
We just moved into our house and aren't sure how long we want to stay.
We're planning to make a decision in the next few months.
In the meantime, we try to open windows as much as we can when we cook.
We also put a HEPA and carbon filter in our kitchen based on the research cited above that shows that reduces NO2 by 20%.
In the meantime, we try to open windows as much as we can when we cook.
We also put a HEPA and carbon filter in our kitchen based on the research cited above that shows that reduces NO2 by 20%.
But ultimately everyone's risk tolerance and priorities are different.
All I can do is share the research and data. My hope is that will help people make informed decisions.
All I can do is share the research and data. My hope is that will help people make informed decisions.
One thing is clear though:
As a matter of public policy, we need to stop allowing gas and other fossil fuels in new construction.
And we can all do something about that.
As a matter of public policy, we need to stop allowing gas and other fossil fuels in new construction.
And we can all do something about that.
So my main recommendation is this:
Get involved politically. Show up to your city council meetings and ask about building code.
Elect leaders who take climate and health seriously.
There's so much we can all do. Let's get started!
Get involved politically. Show up to your city council meetings and ask about building code.
Elect leaders who take climate and health seriously.
There's so much we can all do. Let's get started!
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