How to eliminate kitchen toxins to live a healthier life

Sunita Vellapally Sunita Vellapally
Durga Petals 301, designasm STUDIO designasm STUDIO Modern kitchen
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The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in a home, but a little-known fact is that there are kitchen toxins lurking within the room that could be affecting your health. From minor stomach upsets that are barely noticeable to more severe respiratory problems, these could be caused by toxic household chemicals, materials with VOCs, harmful materials in utensils and more. Children and older family members are more likely to be affected by them.

When you are building a new kitchen or renovating, it’s essential to check with the kitchen planner or architect about chemical free kitchen cabinets and countertops. Similarly, you should look around your kitchen and try to get rid of toxic household cleaners and utensils that could be making you sick.

What are the most common kitchen toxins that one should try to avoid? In this article, we outline the various things to watch out for when you are cooking, cleaning, storing food or building a new kitchen.

Food handling and preparation

Besides kitchen toxins in the air, the most common cause of sickness from the kitchen is due to the improper handling of food when it is being stored or prepared. Among the things one should be careful about are:

  • First and foremost, one should ensure that one’s hands are washed and clean before one handles any produce.
  • Certain undercooked foods have harmful bacteria present in them. One should ensure that raw egg yolk, fish and meat are cooked to the right temperature.
  • Produce that is not properly washed before it is cooked can contain bacteria and pesticides that affect one’s health.
  • Avoid cross contamination between raw meats and other cooked foods. When storing in the refrigerator, ensure that the raw meat or fish is kept in sealed or leak-proof containers away from cooked food.
  • Ensure that hot and cold foods are thawed and reheated in the right way. Avoid leaving food on the counter for extended periods. It’s recommended to thaw frozen products slowly in the refrigerator or quickly in the microwave.

Spoiled or contaminated food

Food poisoning doesn’t have to be due to kitchen toxins. Spoiled food that has mould growing on it or items that are past their expiry date should be thrown out to keep the family safe from food poisoning. Another thing to be careful about is the cross-contamination between meat and vegetable products. Therefore, whether it’s a chopping board or a can opener, one can avoid cross-contamination by cleaning it thoroughly after each use. It’s preferable to have separate cutting boards for vegetables and meat.

Don’t forget about water quality!

It’s a well-known fact that the water in our kitchen taps is contaminated with bacteria, chemicals and metals, all of which can be harmful to our health. Therefore, it’s essential to install a water filter that removes contaminants and provides clean water for drinking as well as for preparing meals. While there are several types of filters available in the market, not all of them work against all types of contaminants. It’s best to research the various options before investing in a high-quality water filter.

Use the safest cooking utensils

Almost everyone has plastic containers in the kitchen, but not all of them are suitable for food storage. If one has old containers, it might be better to get rid of them as many of them have a harmful industrial chemical called bisphenol (BPA). When replacing old plastic containers, look for labels that say BPA-free. Avoid placing polycarbonate plastics in the microwave for reheating food or washing them in the dishwasher as this can cause them to break down slowly, leaching BPA into the food.

On the list of toxic chemicals in everyday products are melamine, Teflon, aluminium and lead, which can be found in kitchenware.  Hard plates made of melamine contain formaldehyde, which is carcinogenic. Certain types of ceramic dishes have a lead glaze. Non-stick utensils are coated with Teflon. Aluminium utensils can transfer particles of the metal into cooked food, which can cause brain disorders in the long term.

Choose lead-free ceramics, high-quality stainless steel, cast iron and glass to make your food preparation and storage safe.

Use non-toxic kitchen cleaners and disinfectants

Most commercial products that are used for household cleaning contain harmful chemicals, including formaldehyde. The easiest way to detect whether you are using harmful household cleaning products in your kitchen is to check the labels for words such as ‘danger’, ‘caution’ or ‘poison’.

It’s best to avoid anything with cautionary advice on the label and look for green solutions for cleaning to prevent these kitchen toxins from contaminating your food or reducing the air quality inside the room. Regular cleaning can be done with soap, vinegar, baking soda and water. For stubborn clogs in the sink, use enzyme-based cleaners instead of chemical ones.

Kitchen towels made of fabric are an eco-friendly alternative to paper towels, but you should ensure that they aren’t harbouring harmful bacteria. Wash them regularly in hot water to disinfect them. Additionally, avoid cross-contamination by using different towels for the dishes, counters and for handwashing.

Sponges used for dishwashing are a breeding ground for bacteria. It’s advisable to wash them with hot water and dry them thoroughly after each use. Additionally, one should replace them frequently.

For pest control, opt for natural remedies such as essential oils, citrus peels and herbs.

Build with materials that are free from kitchen toxins

The materials used to build your kitchen can affect the air quality within the room, and it’s something you will have to endure for many years. Therefore, for the sake of health one should avoid harmful materials such as VOCs or formaldehyde in kitchen cabinets, countertops and flooring.

Many kitchen cabinets have formaldehyde or VOCs used in their finishes, which can permeate the air in the long term. At the time of designing the kitchen, choose low VOC kitchen cabinets to keep the air safe. For the flooring, avoid materials such as vinyl that have PVC or VOCs. As far as possible, use natural materials or those with non-toxic finishes to maintain the air quality in the kitchen.

Cook safe to reduce kitchen toxins

Cooking gas is a combustible product that releases by-products, including carbon monoxide, into the air in the kitchen. Therefore, one should install an exhaust fan in the room and turn it on when cooking to ensure that the harmful fumes are flushed out of the area. Alternatively, one can opt for an electric stove or oven to minimise emissions.

Certain types of plants have air-cleaning properties. These can be placed in the kitchen to absorb kitchen toxins and to improve the quality of the air in the room.

As you can see, one needs to put a lot of thought into planning the equipment, utensils, cleaning products and storage in the kitchen to ensure that it doesn’t negatively affect the health of one’s family. During the process of designing your kitchen, it’s advisable to consult a professional who can provide suggestions on the various building materials that are safe in the long term. Similarly, when buying or replacing containers, utensils or appliances in the kitchen, choose those that have a lower risk of contaminating the food that you prepare or store. While it might cost a bit more to buy items that are safe from kitchen toxins, it is well worth the investment for the sake of the health of your family.

What measures do you take to keep your kitchen toxin-free? Leave us a comment.

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