A recent study suggests that breakfasts featuring fried eggs, sausages, and bacon may not only pose risks to your heart but could also potentially harm your lungs. Researchers discovered that frying certain foods releases pollutants similar to those found in urban air pollution, which are known to increase the risk of lung disease.
Previous research involving chefs has linked exposure to cooking emissions with chronic diseases. However, a new experiment conducted by experts at the University of British Columbia is the first to reveal that certain compounds can form in household kitchens.
The study examined emissions and chemicals produced during the cooking of common meals using a frying pan, such as pancakes, pan-fried Brussels sprouts, and vegetable stir-fries. Using a tool called an impinger, designed to collect airborne chemicals, researchers measured the amount of pollutants produced by frying the meals.
Analysis revealed that cooking produced carbon aerosols, small particles or liquid droplets in the air, known as BrCOA. When these aerosols were exposed to overhead lighting or natural sunlight, they produced a harmful compound called singlet oxygen. Singlet oxygen is highly reactive and has been linked to lung damage, as well as the development of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
The study found that all the meals released similar amounts of singlet oxygen, with higher concentrations detected when fumes were exposed to sunlight, suggesting that kitchens with natural light may have increased levels of these compounds. Furthermore, these harmful compounds can linger in the air long after cooking, contributing to the persistent degradation of household air quality. While singlet oxygen compounds can have beneficial uses, they have also been associated with damage to the body’s cells, including DNA and tissue damage.
Dr. Nadine Borduas-Dedekind, the lead author of the study, emphasized the need for further research to fully understand the impact of cooking-related emissions on human health. To reduce exposure to these chemicals, researchers recommend using kitchen venting fans, opening windows for fresh air, and using air filters. Cooking with oils that have high smoke points, such as avocado oil, can also help mitigate indoor pollution.
The study was published in the journal Environmental Science: Atmospheres.
