Are you someone who loves the smell of toast browning in your toaster? Well, it turns out that smell may actually be toxic. A new study out of the University of Texas finds that as soon as someone turns their toaster on toxic particles are released into the air and the longer you toast an item, the worse it gets.
“When you make toast, the heating element starts warming up the debris and gunk in the toaster which includes oils,” researcherMarina Vanceexplains. “Add to that the bread itself - it's going to emit a range of things.” She notes they found ethanol in the air, adding, that smoke, released from the bread touching the heating element, or crumbs at the bottom can release “a lot of particles.” She shares, “'It's led to what would be considered ‘very unhealthy’ air pollution levels compared to the outdoor air quality standards.”
So, what can you do to protect yourself from these toxic particles? Well, the researchers suggest the best option is to keep your bread from getting too dark, and instead go for a light brown color to your toast.
And apparently your toaster isn’t the only household item that could be emitting such toxic pollution. Other guilty parties include household cleaning sprays, scented candles and wood-burning stoves.
Source:The Daily Mail