Kitchen smoke: signs of poisoning

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Extract from the article: Exposure to fuels can have harmful consequences for your health. How can you tell if you are being poisoned by cooking fumes? Dr Laurent Zagré, a pulmonary specialist at the CHR of Ziniaré in Burkina Faso, shows the signs.

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Exposure to fuels can have harmful consequences for your health. How can you tell if you are being poisoned by cooking fumes? Dr Laurent Zagré, a pulmonary specialist at the CHR of Ziniaré in Burkina Faso, shows the signs.

Burning wood produces emissions of different chemical compounds. There is: particulate matter (PM): « These are fine particles of pollutants that stick to tiny pieces of ash and carbon. These particles are so small that they penetrate deep into the lungs and cause lung and heart problems. PM causes health problems, including irritation of the airways, reduced lung function, worsening asthma, chronic bronchitis and premature death in heart patients », says Dr Laurent Zagré, a Burkinabe pulmonologist at the CHR in Ziniaré.

« Carbon monoxide (CO) can be found. This colourless and odourless gas reduces the blood's capacity to transport oxygen. It is extremely toxic and, in high concentrations, can cause death. These fumes also contain irritants such as acrolein, which causes inflammation and allergic reactions. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), carcinogens, are also found in cigarette smoke and chimney soot », says pulmonologist Dr Laurent Zagré.

Wood burning also produces volatile organic compounds, including benzene. These compounds cause cancer, followed by dioxin emissions, which are extremely carcinogenic.

Health consequences

The health consequences include "liver problems, immune, reproductive and endocrine system disorders, developmental and neurological problems in children, certain types of cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma exacerbation", identifies the pulmonologist.

Recognising the signs of intoxication

According to Dr Laurent Zagré, « when we have respiratory or ocular signs of exposure to cooking smoke, we should always consult a doctor in order to better investigate and make a diagnosis ».

Advice for the population

For cooking smoke, « use only very dry wood, which burns better, produces more heat and emits less smoke and pollutants. Use small pieces of wood and make sure there is adequate ventilation. Never burn treated wood (such as pieces of furniture, doors or windows that may have been treated for termites or other pests), wood covered with plastic, glue or paint, or wood from utility poles or railway sleepers. These types of wood are impregnated with a variety of substances that release large amounts of toxic products, including dioxins, when burned, » advises the specialist.

Never burn rubbish, plastic or tyres. « These materials contain toxic substances, so burning them indoors is even more dangerous, since intense concentrations of pollutants are produced. The danger is particularly serious for women and children who are directly exposed for long periods of time », explains Dr Laurent Zagré.

Do not use petrol, paraffin, oil or coal to light a fire indoors. « It is better to use paper, leaves or small branches impregnated with natural resin. If you have a fireplace or a wood-burning stove, make sure that the ventilation ducts are clean; this promotes less polluting combustion », recommends the pneumologist.

Elom AKAKPO