Every year, there are questions and comments about the undesirable health effects that result from the festive tradition of roasting giant pieces of meat. Most of us, however, probably think these centre on what they can do to our waistlines, instead of our DNA by breathing in what our ovens are pumping out.
As recent research from Denmark has highlighted, cooking – particularly roasting – and the burning of candles can damage your DNA. It’s a study that adds to a growing body of science examining the effects of indoor air pollution that comes from a huge number of sources.
So, what are these cont ributors to poor air quality, and what can we do about them? According to Nicola Carslaw, professor in indoor air chemistry at the University of York, there are a lot of chemicals that could be a problem. In fact, a recent project she was involved with counted more than 900 substances of concern. “Obviously, you can’t possibly think about 900 different chemicals in your average home,” she says. “So probably the most sensible way to do it is to think about sources.”