Ergonomic Design Solution for Reducing Smoke Build-Up Inside Rural Kitchens in Kenya

The presentation provided new findings based on laboratory simulations evaluating the thermodynamic properties of “cool smoke” created by open fires in rural kitchens in Kenya. The research revealed that by increasing natural ventilation in the kitchens, the limited vertical convective forces created by the heat of an open fire prevents the resulting smoke from exiting the indoor space. Identifying this phenomenon helped explain why rural families in Kenya have historically limited natural ventilation in their kitchens and have endured high levels of indoor air pollution. The findings will help support the implementation of better indoor smoke removal methods.