The weather is humid, and the air is filled with bacteria and mold that can cause diseases and can be found everywhere in your home. Especially in the kitchen area, from food to utensils like knives and cutting boards, if not properly stored, they can become a breeding ground for mold, including aflatoxin. These types of mold contain aflatoxin, which is extremely toxic to human health.
Humid weather allows mold to thrive in your home. Illustration photo
According to research by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Aflatoxin mold is highly heat-resistant. Foods contaminated with mold when cooked at high temperatures will destroy the mold spores but not the toxins they produce. Therefore, it is necessary to completely remove mold-contaminated foods and utensils. Besides causing acute poisoning, aflatoxin toxins are also considered a cause of liver fibrosis and liver cancer.
3 kitchen utensils to pay special attention to during humid weather:
Wooden chopsticks, wooden cutting boards
Illustration photo
These are two commonly used utensils that are prone to wear and develop cracks over time, creating opportunities for bacteria and mold, including aflatoxin.
Aflatoxin toxicity is 10 times that of cyanide and 68 times that of arsenic. When contaminated with aflatoxin, it can cause acute poisoning, chronic poisoning, and cancer. It can also cause deformities and mutations.
According to experts, wooden cutting boards and chopsticks should be regularly exposed to sunlight to prevent mold growth. It is best to replace them every 6 months to protect the health of your family.
Fermented food, mold
Illustration photo
Humid weather is a factor that makes food prone to spoilage and mold growth, such as rice, corn, peanuts, or fruits. Especially, if these foods are not properly stored.
Since mold-contaminated foods contain aflatoxin, even if you wash or cook them at high temperatures, the toxins will not be completely eliminated. Therefore, if there is any signs of mold, it is best to discard them as they are a high source of cancer-causing agents.
Range hood
Illustration photo
The most important function of a range hood in the kitchen is to remove the oil fumes generated during cooking, reducing the damage of oil fumes in the kitchen to the body.
However, if not cleaned regularly, a large amount of oily residue will accumulate, and in humid weather, this can become a dangerous breeding ground for mold. Over time, people inhaling the mold spores can cause harm to the respiratory system, and in severe cases, it can cause lung cancer.
Therefore, it is necessary to regularly clean the range hood and not turn it off immediately after cooking.
4 tips to minimize moisture and mold growth during humid weather
To avoid health problems caused by eating mold-contaminated foods, people need to pay attention to storage:
When it’s humid, use a dry cloth to clean, don’t use a fan and keep the doors closed. Illustration photo
– For dishes, knives, cutting boards… in humid weather, they are prone to bacteria. After use, they should be thoroughly washed and hung up to dry quickly. For chopsticks, it is best to spread them out to dry quickly, rather than piling them up so they are still damp by evening. Before use, if the cutting board or chopsticks are still damp, rinse them with hot water or heat them over a flame to dry and kill bacteria and mold.
– For cooked food, never leave it overnight at room temperature, it should be stored in the refrigerator. Only prepare the amount needed and consume it within 1-2 days, as even a slight amount of moisture can lead to the growth of mold. Discard any moldy food to prevent the mold from spreading to other foods.
– In these humid days, when the humidity reaches 90% or higher, experts recommend closing the doors tightly to limit the entry of moisture from the outside environment. However, if the humidity is too high, this can cause suffocation due to lack of oxygen, so occasionally, it is necessary to open the doors for ventilation.
– When cleaning the house, avoid using wet towels and use dry cloth instead, do not use fans. If possible, dry the air inside the house by using a dehumidifier, air humidifier, or heater…
When Should You Replace Your Toothbrush?
Are you due for a new toothbrush? Don’t wait until it’s worn out or discolored – now is the time to change your brush!
Identifying the Cause of Refrigerator Condensation and How to Eliminate It
Are you dealing with an accumulation of condensation on the exterior and inside of your refrigerator? Dienmay GREEN is here to tell you why it's happening and how to solve the problem.
Tips for Cleaning a TV Remote Control
Do you often find yourself forgetting to clean your TV remote – or just not doing it properly? TV remotes can be a hidden source of bacteria, making regular cleaning a necessity. Read on to find out how you can keep your TV remote in top shape with our guide from Quantrimang.com.
8 Common Mistakes People Make with Cutting Boards
Are you using your cutting board correctly? Many Vietnamese households rely on cutting boards in their kitchen, but not everyone knows how to use them properly, especially when it comes to wooden cutting boards. Check out these 8 mistakes to avoid when using a cutting board to ensure both hygiene and safety for everyone in your family.
Frequently Replacing Important Household Items for Increased Safety and Efficiency
To ensure the well-being of family members, the regular replacement of 12 common household items is crucial.
