Make it a habit: Turn on the fan when you cook

Comfort Zone newsletter, February March 2023, p. 1

Did you know that an important part of cooking safety is good kitchen ventilation? All cooking—from using a natural gas, electric or propane stove to a fryer—can create pollutants that can affect indoor air quality. The easy solution to help remove those pollutants? When you cook, turn on your exhaust fan.

Multiple studies[1]/Singer, BC; Pass, RZ; Delp, WW; Lorenzetti, DM; Mallalena, RL. 2017. Logue, JM; Klepeis, NE; Lobscheid, AB; Singer, BC. 2014./ show that kitchen ventilation plays an important role in removing cooking-related emissions. That's why exhaust hoods are required for all new homes in Oregon, whether they have gas or electric cooktops.

Cooking tips:

• If your exhaust fan does not vent to the outside, open windows when you're cooking.
• Installing a new range hood? Make sure it's in accordance with local codes, is well-maintained and inspected periodically.

Learn more about cooking with ventilation and other resources here.