Three-quarters of kitchens in low-income homes across 12 major global cities are heavily polluted by cooking emissions, according to research from the University of Surrey and its global partners.

The first-of-its-kind study found that poor ventilation and fuel choices were the most significant contributors to poor air quality in people’s kitchens, but the size of the kitchen and the way food was cooked also mattered. Frying food led to particularly high levels of indoor pollution.

Professor Prashant Kumar, Founding Director of the University of Surrey’s Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), who led the research published in Environment International, said:

“There’s a notable wealth divide when it comes to indoor air quality and also a gender divide, as women are typically disproportionately impacted by pollution caused by cooking, especially in the developing world. This problem must be addressed to improve health and equality.”

The highest average levels of pollution were found in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where kitchens were typically small and people cooked for prolonged periods, often frying food. The cleanest air was found in Medellín, Colombia, due to more space in their kitchens and the use of cleaner cooking fuels.

The way different cuisines are typically cooked also made a difference to air quality in kitchens. The study found that occupants in Dhaka, Nanjing, Dar-es-Salaam and Nairobi spent more than 40 per cent of their cooking time frying, the cooking activity which emits most polluting particles. However, in Cairo, Sulaymaniyah and Akure, roughly two-thirds of cooking time was spent boiling or stewing, which results in fewer particles emitted.

Cooking on charcoal caused the highest levels of kitchen pollution — more than three times the levels when using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). However, the levels of pollution caused by cooking on natural gas were just thirty per cent lower than that of charcoal.

A combination of natural ventilation and mechanical (for example, extractor fans) in Chennai, Cairo and Sulaymaniyah helped halve kitchen pollution, compared with the use of natural ventilation alone in Addis Ababa, Dar-es-Salam and Nairobi.

Professor Kumar said: “Improving airflow, using cleaner fuels, filtering efficiency of cooking hoods, and frying less are all ways to reduce the pollution people breathe from cooking. Around the world, kitchens are often where people congregate, but these findings suggest that cooks should discourage family and friends from being around when they’re cooking.”

The World Health Organisation estimates that approximately four million people die prematurely from illnesses attributed to indoor air pollution caused by polluting stoves operating on solid fuels and kerosene. Exposure to high levels of particulate matter, including that from cooking, has been linked to health conditions including heart disease, pneumonia, stroke, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Next, the research team will further analyse their findings and will develop guidance for reducing exposure to kitchen pollution.

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Materials provided by University of Surrey. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

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Despite this weekend’s winter chill, yesterday’s high-60s temperatures signaled spring’s very welcome arrival to NYC. But along with the approaching Spring Equinox and the glorious sights of sidewalk planter tulips comes a complication — seasonal allergies. Add to that the new joy of wondering whether you have seasonal allergies or COVID-19 and you have a recipe for a very, er, eventful allergy season. But we at W42ST believe that with a quick primer (and above all else, following the advice of medical professionals) we can all breathe easier. 

Urban blossom can be a challenge for urban dwellers. Photo: Phil O’Brien

When is allergy season? 

Spring allergy season begins as temperatures warm and local plants begin to grow again, producing pollen. This period usually begins the second week in March, peaks around Mother’s Day Weekend (Sunday May 8), and fades away in June. 

Which plants trigger allergies in New York City? 

The tiny, cheery flowering buds you encounter along the green patches of Hudson River Park or Central Park are not to blame for your springtime congestion — that falls to maple, elm, and oak trees as well as juniper bushes, the leading sources of allergens in NYC. And in even better news, NYC is not the worst place to be when it comes to allergies — you can thank our concrete jungle where dreams are maaaaaade of and a relative lack of flowering plants compared to more verdant areas of the US. In fact, New York is only #58 in the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s ranking of the 100 Allergy Capitals of the US — take that, Albany (#11)!!!

If you are experiencing The Pollening™, however, check out the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology’s local pollen tracker for daily updates on the tree, weeds, grass, and mold levels in NYC (fun fact: AAAAI’s city tracker is located not far from Hell’s Kitchen at the Fordham University Lincoln Center campus). 

Does climate change make allergy season worse? 

In more unfortunate news, it does. According to a new study from the National Academy of Sciences, warmer temperatures induced by human-activated climate change are the primary contributor to a longer pollen season. As spring weather begins earlier and fall temperatures linger longer, the growing season (and therefore, pollen production) extends with each passing year. 

Climate change has elongated spring and its accompanying pollen. Photos: Climate Central

According to a study of 200 US locations by environmental media institute Climate Central, allergy season has lengthened 82% over the past 50 years. In addition to a longer season, another study found that pollen doubled with the increase of carbon dioxide, creating concerns that allergens could be at disruptive levels by the end of the century without preventative measures to curb emissions. If the US can manage to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Accord by mid-century, however, the increased severity and prevalence of allergy and asthma attacks is likely to lessen. Another reason to join local sustainability efforts! 

Is it true that even our pets can have allergies?

Yes — our furry friends are just as susceptible to pollen season as we are. Some breeds of dogs, including Terriers, Setters, Labs and Golden Retrievers, English and French Bulldogs, German Shepherds, Pugs, and Shar Peis are more prone to allergic reaction and experience atopic dermatitis, scratching and biting themselves to seek relief. Pet allergies can lead to more than just discomfort, as those who scratch too much may break the skin and incur a secondary infection. If you notice your pet has watery eyes or is excessively scratching or licking, consult with your veterinarian to see if they recommend an over-the-counter antihistamine or another treatment.

Our furry friends can also have allergies at this time of the year. Photo: Channey Tang-Ho/Unsplash

How can I conquer allergy season?

While everyone’s allergy triggers are different, The Mayo Clinic has a thorough guide to surviving allergy season. Their recommendations include: 

• Staying indoors on windy days and avoiding early morning and late evening outdoor activity (when pollen counts are highest)  — the best time to walk outside is right after rain, when pollen has been temporarily washed away 
• After returning home, changing clothes that you’ve worn outside and may contain trace amounts of pollen
• Wearing a pollen mask for outdoor chores (this one should be easy…)
• Preemptively taking allergy medications before going outdoors during the peak of pollen season
• Keeping indoor air dry with a dehumidifier 
• Using HEPA air filters to clean indoor air
• Visiting an allergy specialist or general practitioner for personal medical recommendations

With that, we wish you a pleasant, clear-sinus spring — full of stopping to smell the roses and frolicking in the streets of Hell’s Kitchen! 

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How can building technology help UK hospitals save lives, while simultaneously cutting costs and achieving net zero?

In October 2020, the UK’s National Health Service released its ambitious strategy [PDF] to become the world’s first ‘net zero’ national health service. Even amid the myriad pressures of coronavirus, NHS chief executive Simon Stevens made clear that the climate emergency is one of the most significant health issues to be tackled. In his words: “With poor environmental health contributing to major diseases, including cardiac problems, asthma and cancer, our efforts must be accelerated.”

As the largest employer in Britain, responsible for around 4 per cent of the nation’s carbon emissions, it is clear that the will for a net-zero NHS is there. At the same time, with an ageing population and constant concerns over the costs of delivering high-quality care, the NHS is facing a perfect storm of challenges. What, then, is the relationship between net-zero strategies and the NHS’s other competing priorities? Is there a way healthcare leaders could deliver the triumvirate of patient health, public value and global sustainability?

Could the answer lie in setting a new standard in the UK’s ageing healthcare infrastructure through technical innovation?

With Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and other rapidly developing technologies, hospitals and healthcare facilities have the potential to be truly intelligent, able to sense the needs of the users and respond accordingly. A smart building uses the data generated by IoT-enabled equipment and that gleaned from external sources to allow performance-enhancing, energy-saving decision making. In the context of smart hospitals, the benefits of such approaches are multifaceted.

From ensuring clean air quality to reducing greenhouse-gas emissions, incorporating smart systems can reduce friction and improve communications. Such technologies reduce costs while enhancing patient and staff satisfaction, patient care, and quality.

Smart IoT technologies can also enhance patient and clinician experiences; reducing queues, controlling lighting and heating, delivering automatic check-in, tracking of equipment and cleaning. Dignified patient and life care are non-negotiable, and the development of patient-centred care through strategic, smart technology integration results in a safe and enhanced healthcare experience for patients.

In the age of Covid, there is a fresh impetus on smart-building design to incorporate clear-air technology to ensure safe, ventilated spaces. Given the average person spends 90 per cent of their day indoors, indoor air exacts huge control on our general state of health.

Viruses like Covid-19 can spread much faster in poorly ventilated indoor spaces. Achieving optimum ventilation levels while reducing energy use relies on measuring and controlling occupancy and internal air quality (IAQ). Balancing occupancy, sustainability and IAQ can be done through smart-building technology, reducing the risk of airborne viruses spreading. Not only that, but smart HVAC using UV can tackle disinfection. At the same time, airborne isolation rooms can use technology to subtly control air pressure to ensure correct airflow.

It is well established that creating and maintaining a standard for air quality can significantly improve comfort and productivity and overall can help set the right mood for work, learning, wellbeing and beyond. Coronavirus has prompted us all to rethink what we want and need for health and happiness in the spaces we occupy from day to day. Now is a clear opportunity to act on these impulses and make our environments future fit. 

Smart technologies are at the centre of sustainability discussions across varied industries. Digitalisation, decarbonisation and renewable energy goals go hand-in-hand. Healthcare organisations cannot implement zero-carbon and renewable energy goals for their facilities without discussing the digital technology essential to achieving building and operational efficiencies.

As identified by the NHS itself, digital transformation provides ripe opportunities for net-zero through digitising its estate and investing in smart hospitals. Through the use of intelligent, real-time energy monitoring and control, including the use of artificial intelligence, the NHS suggests a 2.3 per cent reduction in carbon emissions could be achieved, alongside a net annual saving of £120m by 2034.

Implementing sustainable infrastructure benefits more than just the environment. Building decarbonisation reduces operational costs by optimising equipment and lighting strategies – the biggest consumers of energy and budget – through preventative and predictive maintenance programmes.

What’s more, increased infrastructure resilience provides hospitals and healthcare facilities with a longer lifespan, requiring fewer energy-consuming upgrades and retrofits. Next-generation building automation – intelligent, data-enabled automation and related controls – make it possible to extend automated control to every building system. Automated HVAC, lighting, security and detection can be optimised to ensure energy efficiency based on real-time data and user needs.

The case for smart hospitals is clear, but delivering on this promise can feel like a challenge for a nationwide organisation with such varied estates and varied needs. The NHS has been responsive to this challenge, with a national framework agreement for the provision of smart-building solutions using the Internet of Things.

The framework will advance plans to support the delivery of smart hospitals, enabling local authorities and wider public bodies to more readily procure smart-building technologies, providing time- and money-saving efficiencies. The solutions represent a profound step-change in the ambition to set a new standard in the UK’s ageing healthcare infrastructure through technical innovation.

With the NHS multi-supplier framework, public bodies now have the opportunity to tap into innovative buildings solutions that enable automated monitoring and control of energy use, building occupancy, and asset visibility. Led by The Countess of Chester Commercial Hospital Procurement Services, the framework will drive the transformation of smart hospitals, creating world-class facilities fit for the future and improving efficiency through data-enabled solutions that respond to the needs of patients, staff and visitors.

To stand a chance of hitting net-zero targets, energy-intensive estates such as hospitals must embrace smart technologies. An energy-optimised building costs less to run, delivering maximum energy efficiencies and transforming user experiences. In a sector facing so many challenges, smart technologies can provide holistic solutions that go beyond single-win strategies.

Mark Bouldin is clean air expert at Johnson Controls.

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“Net Zero” Homes: Marketing Morality

Rocky Mountain House #1 / forma Architecture. Image © Dylan Brown

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Almost no one buys an automobile for its stated price with cash on hand, so those looking to buy a car look to what the cost will be each month to own their automobile. Homes are our deepest investment, and most homeowners are equally as proud of their home as they are of their car and are terrified of its cost. So it is not surprising that “Net Zero” homes use the same sales tactic, proving their value by promising no monthly energy bills.

The 2022 North American Home Builder’s Association “New American Home” Built by Envy Homes and designed by BSB Design. Image Courtesy of Duo Dickinson

Marketing homes as a commodity is unavoidable. “Branding” via “style” like “Colonial’ (to offer provenance) or “Contemporary” (to be “hip) or virtue signaling via a “Passive Home” or “Green Architecture”, and “Net Zero” home marketing follows that tradition.

The Zero Energy Project defines the criteria for the definition of “Net Zero”: “The most powerful attribute of net zero homes, unlike many green home concepts, is that zero is quantifiable through energy modeling and/or tracking energy bills.” The defining outcome of “Net Zero” is a home’s monthly utility bills.

Related Article

What is Net-Zero Architecture? Terms and Design Strategies

Last year the North American Home Builders’ Association announced that “The New American Home® 2022 is preparing to take center stage as a main attraction during the next NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS)….which aims to raise the bar for high performance, modern amenities and contemporary flair.”

This home has 4,646 square feet of living space, with three bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms and “numerous spa-like features.” And “the 2022 home is expected to achieve net-zero status and Emerald-level certification from the National Green Building Standard. It will also earn certification from ENERGY STAR, Indoor airPLUS, and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Home Program.”

The average home in America is about 2,400 square feet in size. That is about 50% of the volume of the 2022 New American Home. This means that this model “Net Zero” home uses twice the materials, treated interior air, exterior and interior surfaces as the vast majority of homes that are occupied by the same number of people. If any home is twice the size than it could be, can it be truly “Net Zero” beyond its monthly utility bill?

Since marketing is about satisfying a consumer’s desires, homes that are made to sell are made with as many “hot button” features as their price point allows: and that means more heavily marketed homes are bigger, to justify their higher cost (and profit for the seller). It is why the McMansion was the signature home of the last generation.

View of NAHB ‘New American Home” Interior. Image Courtesy of Duo Dickinson

The Legally Sociable website offers this question: “Is a large net-zero home no longer a McMansion? Perhaps being a net-zero home magically blinds people from all of its other traits?”

Classic McMansion. Image via [email protected]

The layering of technologies needed to zero-out a utility bill have more impact than just having good intentions. In “Zero Energy Homes are Great, But Let’s Make Them Better – Zero 2.0″Joe Emerson and Bruce Sullivan write about the consequences of “Net Zero” homes’ design-by-marketing ethos. ”Most zero energy homes ignore transportation and other home energy uses. Most zero energy homes do not account for embodied carbon” in all the products they are built with and use. In making the most air tight house possible to use the least energy possible to treat the indoor air “most zero energy homes do not provide the highest standards of indoor air quality.”

Our culture’s contradictory values – virtues signaling while “having it all” are also found in automobile design. It can be said that “Net Zero” homes are the Tesla of houses. Electricity powers both “NetZero” homes and Tesla automobiles. As the Finance Buzz website says While both cars perform the same tasks for their owners, Tesla’s cost three times as much as a Toyota Camry, but a Tesla expends half the energy costs to operate. Even with that savings, after six years, the Tesla will costs twice as much to own as the Camry to own.

But who brags about driving a Camry?

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