As important as ovens, stovetops, refrigerators, and other appliances, range hoods are an integral part of any kitchen. Their importance is arguably greater because, without them, your home becomes greasy, grimy, smelly, and unhealthy. The benefits of an exhaust fan in your kitchen often go unnoticed.
It is important to examine your options for this all-too-often neglected appliance, and choose one that uses state-of-the-art technology, including filters that will clean your home and make your lungs healthier.
Powerful ventilation provided by a high-quality range hood has four solid benefits.
Make Your Home Cancer-Free by Removing Cancer-causing Compounds
Cooking fumes contribute to 3.8 million premature deaths worldwide, 8% of them due to lung cancer resulting from indoor air pollution, according to the World Health Organization.
While it may seem like carcinogens are everywhere these days, it’s important not to panic. In toxicology, one of the basic principles is that “the dose makes the poison,” so while cooking fumes may contain carcinogens (such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and aldehydes), proper ventilation can effectively mitigate the risk.
What is the benefit of proper ventilation? According to studies, an exhaust fan in your kitchen may reduce your risk of lung cancer by up to 50%. A high-quality range hood with a near-professional-grade blower and filtration system is also available.
Would you like to learn more about the science behind these conclusions? Our blog post dives into the data, linking to multiple studies showing the risks of cooking fumes and how to avoid them.
Get Rid of Nasty Odors
An exhaust fan in your kitchen can also eliminate unpleasant odors. Is it true that people cannot smell the odors in their own homes? It has been shown that they can detect unpleasant odors in other homes, but not when presented with their own odors.
Why? It is very easy for us to become accustomed to smells. We become oblivious to that lingering smell of garlic shrimp clinging to our living room drapes due to olfactory adaptation.
Is there anything you can do about unpleasant odors that you can’t even smell? A good range hood can remove the fumes that cause them, which is the first step.
These odors are sucked up and run through intricate filters in modern range hoods. If the range hood is properly filtered, it will either recirculate the air (now free of smells) or blow it outside.
Prevent The Formation Of Grease And Grime On Counters And Other Surfaces
In addition to noxious chemicals, cooking fumes contain grease that sticks to wooden surfaces, staining them and even causing fires. Even worse, scrubbing your cabinets will cause the colors to fade (just as too many washes will fade a vibrant pair of blue jeans).
When it comes to preventing these greasy vapors from entering your home, proper ventilation is the key.
Improve Air Quality
There are over 200 different types of harmful gases in cooking fumes, and cancer isn’t the only risk. Chefs (who spend a great deal of time in the kitchen) have been shown to suffer from respiratory problems from fumes that come from some of our favorite dishes, especially things like fried foods.
And what’s more? Asthma and runny noses can be triggered by nitrogen dioxide produced by gas stoves. Inside a home, a gas stove can produce pollution that would be prohibited in a factory.
Globally, cooking fumes in poorly ventilated kitchens cause an estimated 3.8 million deaths each year. You should not even consider abandoning the culinary arts because of any of these facts. Rather, ventilate your kitchen properly so you and your family can breathe easier. With an exhaust fan in your kitchen, you’ll see the benefits right away!