Indoor Combustion: Cooking, Smoke and Carbon Monoxide
Fuel-burning appliances and smouldering materials can release particles and gases. The mixture depends on the fuel, appliance and operating conditions. A low PM2.5 reading does not show that carbon monoxide is absent.
Charcoal must never burn indoors
Do not use a charcoal sigri, angeethi or barbecue indoors, including with a window open. A purifier, exhaust fan or fresh-air system does not make this safe. CDC’s carbon-monoxide guidance explicitly says never to burn charcoal indoors.
Carbon monoxide is colourless and odourless. If a CO alarm sounds or poisoning is suspected, leave for fresh air and seek emergency help. Do not stay inside to adjust the purifier or test the air with a PM2.5 monitor.
Cooking appliances need the right installation
Use appliances only for their intended purpose. Do not use a gas oven or hob to heat a room. Fuel-burning equipment needs proper installation, servicing and the ventilation specified for it. Appropriate CO alarms provide a separate safety function; they are not the same as CO₂ or AQI monitors.
For cooking emissions, use effective extraction to outdoors. An electric hob avoids combustion at the burner but cooking food and oil can still generate particles. See kitchen ventilation for capture and replacement-air checks.
Household fuel choices matter
WHO identifies household use of polluting fuels and technologies as an important health issue and recommends a transition to clean household energy. Its household-air-pollution fact sheet explains the evidence and policy context.
Those population findings should not be turned into an unsupported disease count for one home or a guarantee that an air-treatment purchase prevents illness.
Review other indoor burning
Smoking, incense, candles and mosquito coils add sources that can often be reduced or avoided. Choose the response for the actual activity. A scented replacement may introduce different emissions rather than eliminate the issue.
Read candles and incense and mosquito protection for more specific considerations.
The limits of aqi0’s role
aqi0 supplies filtered outdoor air through a standalone whole-home air purifier. Its H13 HEPA stage addresses particles; it is not a carbon-monoxide removal device or a substitute for safe combustion equipment. The technical note describes the product’s actual scope and operating conditions.
FAQ
Is induction cooking really cleaner?
Yes. Eliminates NO₂ and CO entirely; reduces PM2.5 from oil aerosols somewhat (because no flame-related airflow). For homes prioritising indoor air quality, induction is a meaningful upgrade.
What about LPG vs PNG?
Same combustion products at similar mass per unit cooking. PNG (piped natural gas) is marginally cleaner per unit energy but the indoor emission difference is small.
Should I never burn anything indoors?
“Never” is unrealistic and disrespectful to cultural and religious practice. “Minimise, contain, ventilate” is the achievable framework.
Can a chimney work in a non-kitchen room?
Yes. Puja rooms benefit from a small ducted exhaust similar to a bathroom exhaust. Few homes have this; it’s a sensible upgrade for households with daily ritual burning.
Is charcoal sigri actually dangerous?
Yes. Indian newspapers report multiple winter CO-poisoning fatalities every year from charcoal sigri used in closed rooms. Never use any charcoal or coal combustion source in a closed indoor space.