In Taiwanese households, it is common to stir-fry garlic, scallions, and ginger at high temperatures when cooking, filling the kitchen with rich aromas. However, experts warn that these fragrant kitchens may hide serious health risks. Kitchen fumes are an invisible culprit of lung damage. Long-term inhalation may lead to pulmonary fibrosis, causing loss of lung elasticity, impaired oxygen exchange, and earning the nickname &ldquolung cancer that is not lung cancer&rdquo due to its potentially higher mortality rate than some cancers.

The lungs are responsible for gas exchange, but in today&rsquos polluted environment, what we inhale is not just oxygen and nitrogen but also pollutants such as vehicle emissions, pollen, and fine suspended particles. Housewives using cooking oils that cannot withstand high temperatures or rinsing hot pans directly with water can produce large amounts of oil fumes. Once inhaled, these fumes adhere to the lung mucosa, triggering inflammation and tissue hardening.Indoor air can also be polluted! (Photo provided by Heho Health)

In the early stages of pulmonary fibrosis, symptoms are often mild and easily mistaken for a common cold. Over time, individuals may experience shortness of breath, coughing, and fatigue. Besides kitchen fumes, the chemical components in hair setting sprays may also damage the lungs, becoming an additional risk factor. According to experts, common causes of pulmonary fibrosis include smoking, air pollution, viral infections, gastroesophageal reflux, and genetic factors.Air purifiers mainly remove particulate or gaseous pollutants (Photo provided by Heho Health)

Doctors advise improving cooking habits, avoiding high-temperature oil fumes, and reducing exposure to harmful chemicals to protect lung health and prevent life-threatening pulmonary fibrosis.