Innovative Methods to Reduce Emissions and Health Impacts of Deep-frying

Innovative Methods to Reduce Emissions and Health Impacts of Deep-frying

Cooking oil fume (COF) is a significant source of PM2.5 for poorly ventilated space indoors and in urban streets near restaurants or night markets. Modern Chinese cooking produces high concentration of COF especially from deep-frying foods and stirred frying. Emission from high-temperature frying has been classified by the IARC as Group 2A carcinogen. Cooks are at high risk of exposure to toxic compounds from cooking fumes. However, more of the COF-related studies focused on the home kitchen and less addresses the problems in the restaurants. Studying health hazards and biomarkers of cooks may provide opportunities to understand biological mechanisms and to search and test efficacy for measures to overturn such risks.

The investigators will recruit 80 cooks who handle deep-frying and stirred frying on daily basis. The 80 cooks will be randomized to 4 groups: (1) control, (2) vegetable and fruits extract (V&F) group, (3) fish oil group, and (4) V&F-fish oil group will be provided to the participants for 2 months V&F capsules (equivalent to 4 servings a day) and fish oil capsules (1~1.5 serving a day) and placebos of the same appearance. Heart rate variability (HRV), pulmonary functions, bio-markers, oxylipins and metabolomics profile will be measured as outcomes.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Acute diseases in the past 2 weeks
2. Taking anti-oxidant supplements in the past month
3. Taking steroid or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as Aspirin and Panadol) in the past week
4. Under hormone replacement therapy
5. Cancer and other severe diseases