The Palisadian-Post has partnered with locally founded environmental nonprofit Resilient Palisades to deliver a weekly “green tip” to our readers. This week’s tip was written by Doug Macmillan.
When we are not battling wildfires, the air outside our homes is typically healthier than the air inside. One of the reasons is there is often an elevated level of carbon dioxide inside our homes.
An average, a human emits about two pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) per day. Among other impacts, higher concentrations of CO2 can affect our thinking.
If you work in an enclosed area, CO2 can easily exceed 1,000 ppm. Outside air has a CO2 content of about 400 ppm (although this is steadily climbing due to human activity).
To start, measure your home’s CO2 levels: Visit CO2meter.com, a website offering a variety of inexpensive measuring devices.
If your home’s CO2 levels are elevated, the solution is simple: increase ventilation by opening windows. (While you’re at it, also make your garden gas-free so you and your family are not breathing in CO2—as well as heavy metals and toxins—every time your gardener uses a gas lawnmower, blower or trimmer.)
Another major source of air pollution inside your home is gas cooking. When you turn on a gas stove, you’re emitting carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, which can contribute to asthma.
Consider switching to an electric stove and induction cooker. It’s cleaner, safer and faster.
An induction cooker can boil four cups of water in just over two minutes. A gas cooker takes twice as long.
Induction directly heats the pot metal so your stovetop stays much cooler. This is similar to the technology that charges modern phones. (But don’t be tempted to use your stove to charge your phone. It will not turn out well!)
For more information, visit CO2meter.com; theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/10/gas-stoves-are-bad-you-and-environment/616700; or theguardian.com/environment/2020/may/05/gas-stoves-air-pollution-environment.
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