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In the middle of the meal and the gifts, there is a gesture that we often forget to do during Christmas and which nevertheless proves essential for our health according to science. Do you know which one?
Are you entertaining during Christmas? So you have to think about everything: the organization, the meal that will suit everyone, drinks (in moderation). And yet, during this annual choreography, a simple health gesture is often forgotten even though it is essential.
Christmas, the day when indoor pollution is the highest
It is important to open a window while cooking. Because according to a study published a few days ago, indoor pollution in homes is higher on Christmas Day than any other day of the year. And one of the major causes is probably the preparation of a festive meal.
American researchers analyzed the indoor pollution levels of nearly 4,000 homes and the “significant emissions events”, during which tiny particles of air pollution called PM2.5 reached an level greater than 30 micrograms per cubic meter of air.
Christmas Day saw the highest number of these events, at 0.31 events per day per household. This equates to a worrying spike in indoor pollution on Christmas Day more than any other day of the year, 50% higher than that seen during the rest of the winter, and around double that seen during the summer .
PM2.5, fine particles to avoid as much as possible
PM2.5 are tiny pollution particles small enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs. Evidence has linked this type of pollution to a higher risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
The fact that these particles are emitted in quantity during the preparation of the Christmas meal is worrying for health. The World Health Organization recommends that PM2.5 reach an annual average not exceeding 5 micrograms per cubic meter of air… Far from broadcasts on Christmas Day in Western homes.
The new study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reveals that just over half of PM2.5 concentrations inside homes come from outside. But the rest of this pollution would come from inside the home, and around 28% would come from occasional “episodic” activities like cooking and cleaning, typically at 8 a.m., 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. At mealtimes.
So if you have to roast, simmer, or grill poultry this Christmas, remember to open your kitchen windows regularly. It’s a simple gesture, but one that can be important for your health.