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IMPacts of Cooking and Cleaning on indoor Air quality: towards healthy BuiLdings for the futurE: IMPeCCABLE

Lead Research Organisation: University of Nottingham
Department Name: Faculty of Engineering

Abstract

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
 
Description We have developed a model of the UK housing stock that we can use to predict exposure to contaminants emitted by cooking. We have also developed a method to identify the harm caused per unit of concentration. This can be used to estimate the harm caused by exposure to ontaminants emitted by cooking. We have now identified those contaminants that cause the greatest harm in homes. These can be prioritised for removal. Many of the identified contaminants are generated by the heating of food and by the cooking process. We understand the concentrations of the key contaminant, particles emitted by cooking, that we expect to find in homes. We know that effective ventilation can reduce concentrations and exposure substantially, but that it is liekly to be insufficient in around 90% of houses in the UK.
The primary mitigation method is ventilation using a cooker hood and that regulated capture efficiencies (the proportion of contaminant release by cooking that is captured by the hood) and airflow rates need to increase above those in existing building regulations. There is now an international standard (ASTM E3087) to show how to measure their capture efficiencies. UK building regulations have, in their latest edition, made it clear that recirculating cooker hoods are suboptimal. Work from this project has also been included in a Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health on the health effects of indoor air quality on children and young people.
Finally, we know that behaviour matters. Persuading cooks to continue using their ventilation for 10 minutes after they finish cooking can reduce their exposure to contaminants substantially.
Exploitation Route The work is being used to inform English, Welsh, and Scottish building regulations, specifically the ventilation provision in kitchens. When implemented, we expect the consequence to be a reduction in respiratory harm in the UK population.
Sectors Government

Democracy and Justice

Manufacturing

including Industrial Biotechology
URL https://impeccable.york.ac.uk/
 
Description The findings have been added to a key report by the RCPCH that included methods of reducing exposure to emissions from cooking. The findings have are also being considered by those revising Part F of the building regulations.
First Year Of Impact 2020
Sector Government, Democracy and Justice
Impact Types Societal

Policy & public services
 
Description ASHRAE IAQ working group
Geographic Reach North America 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description Climate change: health effects in the UK -- Chapter 5: Impact of climate change policies on indoor environmental quality and health in UK housing
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
Impact The report highlights priority research gaps and priorities in the airea of climate change and its effects on indoor air quality.
URL https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/climate-change-health-effects-in-the-uk
 
Description Air Infiltration and Ventilation Centre Conference, Athens, 2022: Keynote talk on "The Acceptability of Air Quality in Domestic Kitchens" 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Key note talk to the Air Infiltration and Ventilation Centre conference in Athens. The talk sparked a lively debate about ways to test kitchen ventilation systems, and the methods used to identify harm.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://aivc2022conference.org/detailed-programme/
 
Description Breathing Cities Future Urban Ventilation Network webinar - The New Paradigm for IAQ: Quantifying the health impact of exposure to common contaminants found in indoor air 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact An hour long webinar brief on my work to the Breathing Cities network to engage with academics and the wider public. The work is novel and required to quantify the harm from cooking.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FStWO1_tbA4&list=PL8mUgzfqctB_kimHJO7dcPRL8PxBRYXe4&index=5&t=2576s
 
Description Keynote talk to Air Infiltration and Ventilation Centre 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Invited talk on: Dallying with DALYs: a harm-based approach to IAQ acceptability
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.aivc.org/event/18-19-may-2023-workshop-tokyo-towards-high-quality-low-carbon-ventilation...
 
Description Keynote talk to the Air Infiltration and Ventilation Centre 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Keynote talk to the Air Infiltraiton and Ventilation Centre conference
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.aivc.org/event/4-5-october-2023-conference-copenhagen-43rd-aivc-conference